Bitter hops extract reduces hunger by 30% through GLP-1 activation, study highlights

Published: 11-Sep-2024

New Zealand hops — or Amarasate — could offer as a natural alternative to weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy

A novel study has found that Amarasate can act as a natural GLP-1 activator.1

The active nutraceutical can be taken orally rather than via injection and doesn’t require a prescription — unlike the current GLP-1-activating weight loss drugs on the market. 

The trial involved 30 adults, and required each participant to fast for 24 hours on three separate occasions. 

The volunteers were then given a meal to break the fast.

Before the meal was provided, those involved in the study were given varying doses (125mg/250mg) of Amarasate at 16 and 20 hours into the fasting period.

Recent research on the functional ingredient has found that it can reduce cravings by up to 40%, while also lowering feelings of hunger in users by 30%.

During the study period, participants were seen to reduce their calorie intake by an average of 18%, which researchers believe was due to the stimulation of GLP-1 release.

There was also an increase in CCK and PYY in the blood of study volunteers, which are two other common appetite-suppressing hormones which can be targeted for weight management. 

Previously, promising results were found in a male population,2 but this trial centred around the effects of the nutraceutical on appetite and food cravings in females. 

The lead author of this study, Dr Edward Walker, commented: ”The relative decrease in absolute hunger was much greater than previously seen in males. This finding agrees with other studies showing greater sensitivity of females to the appetite-suppressing effects of GI-targeted bitterness,”

"The greater change in hunger values relative to other appetite measures also agrees with data previously observed in males. These findings can assure health practitioners that natural GLP-1-activating nutraceuticals can be a great option for patients who may not be candidates for traditional GLP-1 drugs — often owing to their associated side effects of costly price tag.“

 

Reference

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000196#:~:text=Conclusions,post%2Dfasting%2Dfood%20intake.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522002088?via%3Dihub

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