A recent social media analysis report looked at trends around the prescription weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as natural weight loss alternatives. Innova Market Insights recently released a report highlighting how social media is amplifying weight loss trends through conversations about Ozempic, Wegovy, and natural weight loss alternatives on social media outlets.
How Ozempic Became a Trend
Ozempic is a prescription medication for treatment of type 2 diabetes; it also was approved for promoting weight loss in people with obesity. Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means that it acts similar to the natural hormone GLP-1 that helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite. Ozempic is one of the first prescription medications to have scientifically proven benefits for treating diabetes and obesity. Well-known doctors, celebrities, fitness influencers, and social media influencers who have used Ozempic or work with people taking Ozempic are leading discussion trends on social media. These people also share their insights about supplements and ingredients in the food and beverage market that could be natural weight loss alternatives.
Mentions of Ozempic Weight Loss are Trending on Social Media
The major social media platforms – TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook – actively feature posts on Ozempic. TikTok is a popular outlet, with over 1 billion views of posts with the word Ozempic in the past year. Instagram has more than 100,000 mentions of Ozempic.
Health and fitness influencers and consultants are driving Ozempic’s social media trend with their numerous weight loss testimonials and mentions of personal journeys, their own or those of people they work with. One major social media trend involves posting before-and-after photos that highlight significant weight loss achievements attributed to use of Ozempic.
Ozempic-related hashtags are popular. Innova found that the term #ozempicweightloss, for example, has nearly half a billion views on TikTok! Over three-quarters of Ozempic mentions appeared in either news site or Twitter (X) discussions, with 91,000 total mentions and a reach of 191 billion. The top hashtag, #weightloss, appears in nearly half of all on-line conversations, followed by #ozempic. All generations, led by Gen Z and younger Millennials, have been found to mention the Ozempic trend on X.
Although weight loss trends tend to be discussed more by women than by men, Ozempic is mentioned on X by similar proportions of men and women.
Celebrities Drive Trends Around Ozempic
Elon Musk reached 160M with his X post mentioning the “incredible” weight loss effects of Ozempic and Wegovy. Dr. Oz promoted Ozempic on X, stating to 1M followers that it can be a big help for those who want to lose a few pounds. Celebrities reach thousands with their success stories about Ozempic and weight loss. Comedian Tracy Morgan, posting on X, credits his weight loss to Ozempic, while Emily Simpson used X to show photos of her slimmed down self. Claudia Oshry’s admission regarding using Ozempic for weight loss reached nearly half a billion Pinterest viewers.
Along With Weight Loss Trends Benefits, Ozempic has Side Effects
Posts regarding negative experiences and serious side effects with Ozempic are also trending on social media. A doctor warns that use of Ozempic and Wegovy can lead to loss of muscle. Celebrity Sharon Osborne cautions that while she lost 30 pounds with the Ozempic trend, she experienced nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. Medical advisor WebMD notes that trending weight loss medications can cause serious stomach and intestinal problems. A media post on X cautions that weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy could cause life-threatening complications.
New Trends in Natural Ozempic Alternatives
Trends in natural weight loss alternatives on social media are led by news sites and Twitter/X. A total of 19,000 mentions have engaged more than 600,000. As with Ozempic, #weightloss is the leading hashtag trend in conversations about natural weight loss alternatives. Again, younger Millennials mention natural weight loss alternatives most often, followed here by younger Boomers. On X, men more than women talk about the natural weight loss trend.
Berberine Goes Viral on Social Media
Berberine is an over-the-counter dietary supplement with the nickname “nature’s Ozempic.” It is trending on social media as a less expensive and more natural than Ozempic for weight loss. Posts about berberine have reached up to 10 million viewers in posts on X. One product with berberine promises to improve metabolic health, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and support other health benefits.
Glucomannan Supports Weight Loss and Soluble Fiber Trends
Glucomannan is a soluble fiber derived from konjac root. Glucomannan absorbs water in the gut, leading to feelings of fullness, lower appetite, and eating less. In some products, it is combined with natural sources of stimulants such as green coffee, green tea, and caffeine. Some posts on TikTok have reached over 100,000 viewers. The trend toward zero calorie noodles is supported by products with glucomannan.
Garcinia Cambogia has Supported Weight Loss Trends for Many Years
Garcinia cambogia, also called Malabar tamarind, is a tropical fruit that has been part of ayurvedic medicine. Like other natural weight loss alternatives, products with garcinia cambogia often follow the trend of also having stimulant ingredients like caffeine, green tea, and green coffee. Social media posts touting the benefits of garcinia cambogia have reached more than 600,000 viewers. One product mentioned on X promises natural weight loss during sleep. The active ingredient in garcinia cambogia, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), has widely promoted weight loss benefits.
What’s Next?
Expect continued weight loss trends with Ozempic, Wegovy, and newer medications, along with a search for natural and effective alternatives.
This article is based on our report, “Winning the Global Weight Loss Battle: Natural Alternatives vs. Ozempic in Social Media.”
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