Chewing gum for 30 minutes has similar appetite-curbing effects to OZEMPIC, according to top dietitian

It is the holy grail of weight loss: a remedy that is as effective as drugs like Ozempic, without any of the dreaded side effects.

And according TikTok videos shared by experts, such a golden ticket might actually exist.

Responding to claims that chewing gum leads to the release of the same appetite-suppressing hormone as the medicine, top dietitian Abbey Sharp told TikTok followers: 'Early small studies suggest that, yes, chewing gum can help to stimulate GLP-1 in the gut, which is responsible for the appetite reduction seen on drugs like Ozempic.'

Ms Sharp added that another study showed fullness levels were 'significantly greater' and hunger levels were lower in people who chewed gum for half an hour, compared to those who didn't chew. 

And also the studies are small, Sharp - who has almost 800,000 followers on TikTok - says these results are consistent with other research that shows gum chewing can help curb cravings.

However, she says the difference in perceived hunger between participants who chewed gum and those who didn't only reached a height of 20 percent. 

'So this study is not suggesting that chewing a stick of gum will fill you up,' says Sharp.

'Like, you're still going to be hungry because you've eaten nothing at all.'

She also caveats that the experiments have only monitored hunger over the course of 30 minutes and it is likely that hunger would peak after another half hour, leading to snacking.

Dr Sharp details research that shows how chewing gum can increase feelings of fullness.

 The research in this area should not be interpreted as an 'invitation' to chew gum all day, instead of actually eat.

This behavior would be classified as disordered, and could indicate a serious eating disorder, Sharp says. 

'But rather, if you like gum and you are on a weight loss journey, it might help you stay on track to maintain a healthy, modest calorie deficit.

'And more importantly, what I hope you get out of this, is to chew your damn food.'

If you're expecting to get exactly the same effects of Ozempic from chewing gum, you'll likely end up disappointed.

A 2006 British study found that participants who chewed gum for a prolonged period of time before a meal ate about 40 fewer calories than those who didn't chew. 

In comparison, the trials of Ozempic have shown that people injecting the drug eat roughly 25 percent fewer calories compared to controls. 

Roughly nine million prescriptions for the blockbuster weight loss drug are written every three months in the US.