Researchers Discover Ozempic-Like Results in Natural Foods

Researchers say they investigated natural compounds because GLP-1 injectables face limitations such as injection frequency and side effects.

Juliette Fairley

Published: 11/12/2025, 10:19:20 AM EST

Researchers Discover Ozempic-Like Results in Natural Foods — (Nataliia Zhekova/Shutterstock)

New research shows that certain food and drink items can mimic Ozempic-induced GLP‑1 secretions that curb hunger without injections.

Heliopolis University scientists in Cairo, led by microbiologist Tohada AL-Noshokaty, found in the Unlocking the Multifaceted Roles of GLP-1 study that consuming quercetin, curcumin, cinnamon, fermented green tea, ginger tea, and a pre-meal whey protein drink are among the natural ways that people can gain a sense of fullness that’s similar to the results of GLP-1 injections.

“Injectables face limitations such as injection frequency and side effects, prompting the investigation of natural compounds that can modify GLP-1 function as alternative treatments,” researchers state in the study.

For example, the study reports that curcumin enhances glycemic control by inducing GLP−1 secretion, berberine root promotes the release of GLP−1 by activating bitter taste receptors, fruits, vegetables, and grains that contain quercetin create sustained elevation of GLP−1 secretions, while wheat or whey protein enhances GLP−1 production, and ginger increases plasma GLP−1 levels.

WebMD lists the top six food items with the most quercetin as onions, kale, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, blueberries, and apples. Curcumin is a spice, also known as turmeric powder, that can be sprinkled on vegetables.

"Emerging research on cinnamon, whey protein, ginger, fermented green tea, berberine, and curcumin shows that these foods can modestly stimulate GLP‑1 secretion and influence appetite and glucose control; however, the effects are short-lived and far weaker than GLP‑1 receptor agonist medications," Headway Psychology's head nutritionist told NTD.

The study further found that consuming whey protein 15 minutes before a meal showed measurable acute effects on post-meal glucose, indicating that eating or drinking particular foods at certain times might enhance GLP-1 mediated effects.

However, the extent of those effects is small compared to prescription GLP-1 agonist drugs, according to nutritional therapist Alison Bladh.

“The novelty lies in linking everyday foods/plant compounds with a sophisticated hormonal pathway usually addressed via drugs,” Bladh told NTD. “The mechanism is not purely about large doses or exotic pharmaceuticals, but rather common food components, which may nudge the GLP-1 system.”

The determinations about whey protein are supported by a separate study that was published in Science Direct in September, in which it was discovered that consuming whey protein twice daily before breakfast and lunch for four days in adults with obesity significantly reduced their appetite.

"In practice, you would focus on integrating these foods as part of a broader dietary pattern rather than relying on one magic dose," Bladh added. "For example, including cinnamon in your breakfast porridge, having a cup of fermented green tea mid-morning or before a meal and drinking ginger tea as part of your afternoon pause."