A nutritionist who lost 100lbs on a self-designed diet has claimed in a viral TikTok post that apples ‘do the exact same thing’ as weight-loss jabs like Ozempic.
And, as unlikely as it sounds, top food scientists speaking to MailOnline agree that he might actually be on to something.
In the reel, which has been viewed 600,000 times, Shaun Christopher explains that eating apples ‘naturally boosts GLP-1, the fat-burning hormone Ozempic targets’.
Speaking to his 200,000 followers, US-based Mr Christopher said: ‘Did you know that apples literally do the exact same thing in the body as Ozempic does?
‘The reason why Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and all those other drugs work is because they impact a hormone in the body called GLP-1.
‘When GLP-1 is impacted, that lowers blood sugar and blunts hunger in the body.
‘The cool thing is that… food in nature literally does the exact same thing as the weight loss drugs do—and that’s not my opinion, that is solid science.’
In the accompanying caption he adds that apples ‘supercharge fat-burning’ because they are ‘packed with fibre to slow digestion and keep you ful longer’.
A nutritionist who lost 100lbs on a self-designed diet has claimed in a viral TikTok post that apples ‘do the exact same thing’ as weight-loss jabs like Ozempic
In addition, he claims compounds called polyphenols in apples ‘trigger GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and appetite, and supports gut health, boosting metabolism’.
In conclusion Mr Christopher, who adds a plug for his diet website at the end of his post, says, persuasively: ‘Why risk injections when nature’s Ozempic is sitting in your kitchen’.
Not everyone commenting on the reel seems convinced, however.
‘No it doesn’t. Why do you do this?’ wrote one, simply. ‘Rage bait?’ responded another.
‘Please tell me Girl Scout Cookies do the same thing as Ozempic,’ quipped a third.
Summing up a number of responses, a commenter wrote: ‘I eat apples almost every day but I did not lose an ounce or feel full’.
So what is the truth? Could apples really act as a naturally weight loss aid?
Ozempic, along with Wegovy, are the brand names for the drug semaglutide which, in trials led to a sustained 15 per cent weight reduction in obese patients.
In the reel, which has been viewed 600,000 times, Shaun Christopher explains that eating apples ‘naturally boosts GLP-1, the fat-burning hormone Ozempic targets’
Tirzepatide, also know by brand name Mounjaro, had an even more powerful effect leading to a 20 per cent weight reduction, on average, in clinical studies.
The drugs work by mimicking gut hormones including GLP-1 and slowing the movement of food through the digestive system, leading to a reduction in appetite and increased feelings of fullness.
However Dr Katerina Petropoulou, an expert in metabolism and digestion at Imperial College London, believes there might actually be something to claims that foods like apples can work as a ‘natural Ozempic’.
She said: ‘There are natural ways to achieve the same thing as Ozempic—by consuming food high in soluble fibre, particularly pectin, which is found in apples.
‘Fibre acts as a barrier, slowing the digestion and absorption of carbs and protein.
‘This in theory mimics the effect of Ozempic by ensuring a steady release of gut hormones.
‘It doesn’t have to be apples, though—any vegetables or fruit that are high in fibre can have a similar effect.
‘People should aim for 30g of fibre a day and for your diet to contain lots of whole, unprocessed foods.
‘Many processed foods are broken down too quickly in the gut—and the body doesn’t have time to release hormones that tell us we’re full. That’s why we overeat them.’
Mr Christopher has revealed in previous social media posts that ‘a few years ago’ he was 100lbs overweight, and suffered a heart attack.
He also claims alcohol use had left him ‘with significant brain damage’.
Mr Christopher claims part of his recovery was eating a modified form of the keto diet, which allows carbs—including fibre-containing foods like apples.
Recent studies have also found that dieters who opted for high fibre diets reported greater weight-loss than their peers.
One, which involved tracking 43 participants over three months, found the 27 who followed a high-fibre diet lost more weight than 16 controls despite their overall calorie intake being similar.
Another, authored by Professor Tim Spector—founder of the ZOE diet app and nutrition expert based at King’s College London—revealed those on high fibre diets produced less of a bile acid called isoUDC, which is linked to increased appetite.
Professor Spector said this is believed to be a result of fibre helping support a healthy gut microbiome, the collection of beneficial bacteria that live in our digestive system.
‘The gut microbiome and its chemical products such as these bile acids hold huge promise for reducing obesity,’ he said.
The latest data from the British Dietetic Association suggests the average Brit consumes just 18g per day, far lower than the 30g recommended by the NHS guideline.
And, according to the industry Food and Drink Federation, less than one in ten adults are hitting the 30g per day target.
Dr Katerina Petropoulou adds: ‘Of course, replying solely on one food—like apples—isn’t effective.
‘A holistic approach is key, consuming a balanced diet, rather than trying to eat eight apples a day to reach your target.’
