What Is TikTok's 'Oatzempic Challenge' And Does It Actually Help You Lose Weight?

Weight loss hacks are nothing new—especially on TikTok. Internet personalities have been promoting semaglutide dupes on the social media platform for as long as the drugs themself have been available to the masses.

While the craze around Berberine—a.k.a "nature's Ozempic"—has died down in recent months, TikTokers have found a new weight loss hack that's reportedly helped some users lose up to 40 pounds in two months. Enter: Oatzempic.

If you're unfamiliar with Oatzempic, let me be the first to bring you up to speed. Unlike Berberine, it's not a dietary supplement but rather a simple concoction of oats, water, and lime juice that's said to help you shed weight fast. But does it actually work? Is it even safe? We consulted Nucific's Head of Nutrition, Dr. Amy Lee, for the tea, and she was well-versed on the craze already.

"I've seen it all over TikTok. Well, I watched one video and now I see them all in my feed," Dr. Lee jokes to Delish. While other natural hacks, like taking laxatives and calling it "budget Ozempic," have been rightfully slammed, according to Lee, the latest "diet fad" isn't necessarily bad.

"It could be a good way for some people to make sure they're eating something in the morning and it has a high fiber content to keep you full longer," she says.

What it isn't, however, is a magic wonder meal that will help you lose weight without any additional lifestyle changes. While there is science behind caloric restriction—which Oatzempic is said to help you achieve thanks to its low-cal contents—that's the only real science behind the trend's link to weight loss.

Dr. Lee explains that like the cabbage diet (a similar social media weight loss trend), Oatzempic can be beneficial if it's coupled with other healthy habits. The drink itself is only the "initial" step to "making a lifestyle change."

And like pretty much everything, you need to remember that moderation is key. Dr. Lee says you should not drink it more than once a day at most.

"You do not want to replace all meals of the day with this because you will become deficient in vitamins, minerals, essential oils, and proteins," she says.