Weight-loss jabs are now being used by more than 2.5million people in the UK, with millions more expected to pay for the revolutionary Wegovy pill that was approved last month.
But for many, the results can be underwhelming.
While some will lose up to a fifth of their body weight on the jabs, others see their weight loss plateau in a matter of months.
Now, a new study published this week has shown a 75p natural supplement could be the answer, helping users lose six-and-a-half times more fat than placebo pills.
The supplement contains bitter hops extract – a concentrated form of the plant used in the brewing of beer. And top experts say it has an appetite-suppressing effect.
‘The bitter compounds found in hops appear to be particularly effective at activating satiety hormones, helping us feel fuller for longer,’ says Dr Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London.
The bitter hop extract called Amarasate even appears to outperform weight-loss jabs, also known as GLP-1s, on certain crucial measurements.
Weight-loss jab users typically lose between three and five times more weight than those not on the drugs. However, research suggest around 20 to 40 per cent of this comes from muscle mass, which the body needs.
A new study published this week has shown a 75p natural supplement could help users lose six-and-a-half times more fat than placebo pills (posed by model)
But in the new study, funded by the supplement firm Calocurb, participants taking the tablets lost weight without losing any muscle mass.
The independent research – published in the peer-reviewed journal Obesity Pillars – followed 128 adults who undertook a 24-week-long weight loss programme, consisting of monthly lifestyle advice sessions focused on limiting unhealthy snacks, increasing protein intake and exercising more.
Participants also took a daily supplement, containing either 500mg of bitter hop extract or a placebo, split across two major meals a day.
Body weight, appetite control and self-reported cravings were recorded every four weeks.
By the end of the study period, those taking bitter hops extract had lost around 4.5kg of body fat, 3.9kg more than those on placebo pills.
The researchers, from the Bioeconomy Science Institute in New Zealand, concluded the supplement could be a useful additional intervention for people struggling to lose weight through lifestyle changes alone or those who want to come off weight-loss jabs without regaining weight.
Dr Edward Walker, the study’s lead author, said: ‘Interventions that can address these issues by acting either as an alternative to GLP-1s for weight loss or as a post therapy to prevent weight regain may prove useful.’
Bitter hops has previously been shown to increase feelings of fullness, reduce cravings and help people eat less. But until now concrete evidence of their effectiveness has been limited.
Dr Madusha Peiris says that the ‘bitter compounds found in hops appear to be particularly effective at activating satiety hormones, helping us feel fuller for longer’
Amarasate is the active ingredient in the food supplement Calocurb
Experts say that the bitterness of the supplements causes the gut to produce appetite-suppressing hormones – similar to those in GLP-1 drugs.
‘The bitterness is key,’ says Dr Peiris.
‘Most people think taste happens only in the mouth, but the gut is also packed with specialised sensors that can detect compounds in the food we eat.
‘When these sensors are activated, they trigger the release of hormones that influence hunger and fullness, helping to tell the brain when we’ve had enough to eat.’
Interestingly, the researchers noted that participants taking Amarasate not only experienced fewer overall food cravings but also had fewer cravings for fatty, salty and savoury foods.
‘What seems to be a big problem for lots of people, especially those struggling to maintain a healthy weight, is food noise – repetitive thoughts about food that can drive snacking and overeating,’ says Dr Peiris.
‘That often stems from not producing enough of these appetite-suppressing hormones’.
However, the researchers noted that around one in ten participants suffered uncomfortable side effects, including diarrhoea and nausea.
Experts also caution that there is not enough research yet to suggest supplements like these could replace weight-loss drugs, particularly for patients with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes.
Dr Peiris believes the findings nevertheless highlight the importance of naturally stimulating the gut’s appetite-control systems through diet.
She argues that a similar effect is seen in patients who eat a high fibre diet.
Foods that are rich in fibre include nuts, seeds, pulses, legumes, oats and certain vegetables.
‘As a gut scientist who studies nutrient-sensing mechanisms, it’s encouraging to see human studies showing changes in appetite and appetite-regulating hormones,’ says Dr Peiris.
‘But eating a diverse diet, particularly one rich in fibre can have a similar effect – because these nutrients also stimulate these gut receptors.’
