A new supplement, Amarasate, derived from hops, is showing potential as a drug-free alternative for weight management by naturally stimulating appetite-suppressing hormones. An estimated 2.6 million people in the UK already use weight-loss drugs, and while a pill form of Wegovy has recently been approved, some individuals are seeking non-medicinal options.
Amarasate works by utilizing bitter compounds found in hops. According to Dr. Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London, these compounds activate taste receptors in the gut. These activated receptors trigger the release of hormones like GLP-1, which signal fullness to the brain. Modern diets, often lacking in these bitter compounds and high in processed foods, may not effectively stimulate these satiety signals, potentially contributing to overeating and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
The supplement, sold under the brand name Calocurb and costing approximately 75 pence per pill, is designed to deliver its bitter compounds further down the digestive tract towards the colon. This location is rich in cells that produce appetite-suppressing hormones. By tricking the gut into sensing an intensely bitter food, Amarasate activates receptors that release satiety hormones such as GLP-1, peptide YY (PYY), and cholecystokinin (CCK).
Research suggests Amarasate can influence appetite regulation. A 2022 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that men consuming Amarasate reduced their calorie intake by nearly 20 percent and significantly increased satiety hormone levels. More recent studies involving women have reported up to a 40 percent reduction in food cravings. Another trial in the Nutrition Journal found that overweight adults taking a bitter hops extract daily experienced a significant reduction in visceral fat compared to a placebo group, losing approximately seven times more visceral fat after 12 weeks.