The year that just went by, was obsessed with Ozempic and weight loss. Not just that, but it was also the most searched weight loss drug outpacing Wegovy, its closest competitor, by 300%. As of November 2024, it had a current volume of 16 million searches per month.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic or semaglutide s a prescribed drug that is used in people with type 2 diabetes. It is given as an injection under your skin and could be prescribed off-label for weight loss. However, the drug is not approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss.

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The active ingredient in this is semaglutide, which belongs to the class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 receptor agonists. This is what helps stimulate pancreas to release insulin, prevents, cravings and hunger pangs and prevents increase in blood sugar. It basically mimics the action of naturally produced hormones GLP-1 by activating GLP-1 receptors to achieve these results.

However, it does not come without any side effects. They can include nausea, stomach pain, constipation, thyroid cancer, and more.

But, what if we tell you that you can try these foods which mimic the results of Ozempic, without these above mentioned side effects?

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Filling Foods

These foods are called filling foods, that make you feel full and thus controls your cravings. These are foods high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats which can trigger the release of GLP-1 hormones and other satiety-enhancing effects. Another reason to consider it? These are cheaper than the medications and do not have the unwanted side effects.

Foods that mimic Ozempic effects

Oats: They are rich in soluble fiber called beta-glucan. This can delay gastric emptying and promote feelings of fullness. As per a study published in Current Nutrition Reports, the beta-glucan increases satiety and reduces energy intake by enhancing GLP-1 secretion.

Studies also show that oats can help lower body weigh and harmful LDL- cholesterol levels.

Barley: This also contains beta-glucan, so the effects remain same. Furthermore, the journal Nutrients reported that barley lowered a hunger hormone called leptin.

Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas: In one study that included more than 15,000 U.S. adults published in the journal Nutrients found that legume intake was inversely associated with weight gain over the 10-year study period. Adults in the study with moderate to high intakes gained substantially less weight over the past decade than those reporting no legume intake.

Eggs: A study published in Nutrition Research reported that those who had eggs for breakfast reduced overall caloric consumption for the entire day.

Greek Yogurt: It is a healthy, must-have in your diet as it helps you stay fuller longer and also helps with your gut health. Studies suggest that the protein coupled with probiotics enhances satiety and impacts your appetite-regulating hormones to keep your hunger and cravings in check.

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Avocado: They are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered heart healthy. Avocados are also rich in dietary fiber. A medium-sized avocado has 10 grams of fiber, or more than half the fiber you need in a day. The high fat and fiber content of avocados leads to slower digestion, lower blood sugar and insulin levels and elevates hormones levels that trigger fullness.

Fish: The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in fish along with the high-quality protein help down-regulate your hunger and appetite.

Most people assume that low- or no-sugar drinks are a healthier alternative to regular sodas, but new research suggests that might not be the full picture. A large-scale study presented at UEG Week 2025 found that both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) are linked to an increased risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What Is MASLD?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, MASLD—short for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, is a condition in which extra fat accumulates in the liver. It was previously called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Unlike liver damage caused by heavy drinking, MASLD is linked to metabolic risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. If left untreated, it can progress to more serious liver problems.

What The Study Found

Researchers analyzed data from 123,788 participants in the UK Biobank who did not have liver disease at the start of the study. Participants reported their beverage consumption through multiple 24-hour dietary questionnaires, giving researchers insight into how both sugary and “diet” drinks might affect liver health.

The results were striking: individuals consuming more than 250 grams per day of either SSBs or LNSSBs faced significantly higher risks of MASLD, about 60% higher for LNSSBs and 50% higher for SSBs. Over a median follow-up of 10.3 years, 1,178 participants were diagnosed with MASLD, and 108 died from liver-related causes. Interestingly, LNSSBs, but not SSBs, showed a notable link to liver-related mortality. Both drink types were also tied to increased liver fat.

Understanding MASLD and Its Growing Impact

MASLD occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, which can eventually lead to inflammation, fatigue, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Once considered less common, MASLD has now become the most widespread chronic liver disease globally, affecting more than 30% of the population. It is also emerging as a leading cause of liver-related deaths worldwide.

Lead author Lihe Liu emphasized, “SSBs have long been scrutinized, while their ‘diet’ counterparts are often seen as a healthier choice. Our study shows that both types of beverages are widely consumed, yet their effects on liver health have not been fully understood.”

Liu added, “Even modest consumption of LNSSBs, like a single can per day, was linked to a higher risk of MASLD. These findings challenge the perception that ‘diet’ drinks are harmless and highlight the need to reconsider their role in our diets, especially as MASLD continues to grow as a public health concern.”

Why Both Sugary and Diet Drinks May Harm the Liver

The researchers explained potential mechanisms behind the risks. SSBs, with their high sugar content, can spike blood glucose and insulin, promote weight gain, and increase uric acid levels, all contributing to liver fat accumulation. LNSSBs may affect liver health differently: by altering the gut microbiome, disrupting feelings of fullness, triggering sugar cravings, or even stimulating insulin secretion.

Water Remains the Safest Choice

Experts recommend limiting both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages. Replacing either type with water showed a significant reduction in MASLD risk, about 13% for SSBs and 15% for LNSSBs. Simply switching between SSBs and LNSSBs did not reduce risk.

The researchers plan to investigate causal mechanisms more deeply with long-term studies, including randomized and genetic trials. They aim to better understand how sugar and its substitutes interact with the gut microbiome and influence liver disease.

Arterial plaque buildup is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease, yet most people don’t realise how silently it develops. When fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and cellular waste accumulate along the artery walls, they gradually harden and narrow the vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This restricts blood flow, makes the heart work harder, and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

While medication and lifestyle changes are standard recommendations, growing research, including a study by the University of Sunshine Coast, Australia, suggests that one everyday food may offer surprising protection: beetroot.

Why Arterial Blockage Happens

Plaque develops over years. High levels of LDL cholesterol damage the artery lining, allowing lipids to stick and form deposits. Inflammation accelerates this process, making the plaque harder and more unstable. When a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a clot that blocks blood flow completely, leading to a heart attack. Because early atherosclerosis has almost no symptoms, prevention becomes essential.

Beetroot: A Natural Artery-Friendly Food

Beetroot has emerged as one of the most heart-friendly foods due to its exceptional nutritional profile. Rich in nitrates, antioxidants, fibre, minerals, and bioactive compounds, it is being studied for its ability to influence blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and possibly slow arterial stiffening, all key factors in preventing plaque formation.

Lowers Blood Pressure Naturally

One of the best-researched benefits of beetroot is its effect on blood pressure. Dietary nitrates in beets convert into nitric oxide, a molecule that helps arteries relax, expand, and carry blood more efficiently. Clinical studies show that drinking beetroot juice can lower systolic blood pressure by 4–10 mmHg within hours. Over time, this improved vascular flexibility may reduce strain on the heart and keep arteries healthier.

Reduces Inflammation, a Key Driver of Plaque

Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to plaque buildup. Beetroots contain betalains, powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests these compounds may help lower markers of inflammation in the body, ultimately slowing the progression of arterial damage.

May Limit Arterial Stiffness

Arterial stiffness is a strong predictor of heart attack and stroke. Studies have found that beetroot juice can reduce arterial stiffness in both young adults and older individuals. More flexible arteries allow for smoother blood flow, reducing the pressure that contributes to plaque formation and rupture.

Improves Muscle Recovery and Heart Efficiency

Beetroot has been found to improve oxygen efficiency in the body, meaning muscles — including the heart — need less effort to perform the same tasks. This can indirectly protect the cardiovascular system, especially during physical exertion.

Supports a Healthy Cholesterol Balance

The fiber and antioxidants in beetroot may help improve lipid levels by lowering LDL cholesterol and supporting the removal of excess fats. While not a substitute for medication, it complements a heart-healthy diet.

If you're making a smoothie for a health boost, especially for your brain and heart, you might want to leave out bananas. New research suggests that adding a banana to your drink can actually block your body from absorbing key healthy compounds.

Bananas have always been a big favorite for healthy drinks and desserts. You may have seen many healthy smoothie recipes like banana and coffee smoothie, or bananas and berries, being listed along with other healthy food recipes. While it does have many health benefits, how healthy it is with other nutrients involved has been questioned.

Researchers at the University of California-Davis found that bananas interfere with the absorption of powerful nutrients called flavanols. These compounds are fantastic for health, but if you blend them with a banana, you might not get the benefit you're looking for.

Should You Add Bananas In Health Smoothies?

The researchers found that bananas block how well we absorb flavanol. Flavanols are beneficial natural chemicals found in foods like berries, apples, grapes, and cocoa. When you eat enough of them regularly, they are known to help your memory, reduce swelling inside your body, which is called inflammation, and make your blood flow better.

So, why does the banana stop this? The culprit is a specific enzyme, a kind of protein, that is found in high amounts in bananas. It's called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This is the same enzyme that makes a peeled banana or apple slice turn brown quickly. The researchers found that when PPO mixes with flavanols in the blender, it somehow stops your body from being able to use them. Lead researcher Javier Ottaviani said it was surprising to see how quickly even just one banana dropped the levels of flavanols your body could absorb.

Why Do Bananas Block Nutrients?

The scientists conducted a very clear experiment to figure this out. They had people drink three different things and then measured the flavanols in their bodies, by testing their blood and urine:

The Banana Test

A smoothie made with banana, which is high in the PPO enzyme.

The Berry Test

A smoothie made with mixed berries, which are low in the PPO enzyme.

The Control Test

A plain capsule of pure flavanols, just to see what 100% absorption looked like.

The results were impossible to ignore, the people who drank the banana smoothie had 84% less flavanols show up in their system compared to the people who took the pure flavanol capsule. This clearly proved that the banana was the reason the healthy compounds weren't getting absorbed.

How to Get Your Daily Flavanols?

If you're trying to meet the daily recommendation of flavanols, which is about 400 to 600 milligrams, to help your heart and overall health, you need to be smart about your smoothies.

The main takeaway is to skip the bananas if you're mixing it with high-flavanol foods like berries. If your smoothie already contains ingredients that are low in the PPO enzyme—like berries, pineapple, oranges, mango, or yogurt—then you are maximizing the amount of healthy flavanols your body will actually get. This finding opens the door for more research into how simple acts of cooking or preparing food, like how you brew tea (a major flavanol source), can change the nutrients you absorb.