A natural supplement containing bitter hops extract may offer a new avenue for weight management, with a recent study indicating it can significantly increase fat loss while preserving muscle mass, unlike some prescription weight-loss drugs. The supplement, which costs about 75 pence per dose, works by potentially activating appetite-suppressing hormones.
The study, published in the journal Obesity Pillars and funded by supplement firm Calocurb, involved 128 adults over 24 weeks. Participants followed a weight-loss program that included lifestyle advice and took a daily supplement containing either 500mg of bitter hop extract (Amarasate) or a placebo. The bitter hop extract was split across two major meals per day.
Results showed that participants taking the bitter hops extract lost approximately 4.5kg of body fat, which was 3.9kg more than those who took the placebo. Crucially, the study indicated that this weight loss did not come at the expense of muscle mass, a common concern with some GLP-1 agonist drugs like Wegovy.
Dr. Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London, explained that the bitter compounds in hops appear to activate satiety hormones, helping individuals feel fuller for longer. "The bitterness is key," Dr. Peiris stated. "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."
Researchers also observed that participants using the bitter hop extract reported fewer cravings, particularly for fatty, salty, and savory foods. The study's lead author, Dr. Edward Walker, suggested that such interventions could be useful as an alternative to GLP-1s or as a post-therapy to prevent weight regain after stopping these medications.
Weight-loss jabs, such as Wegovy, are currently used by over 2.5 million people in the UK, with some users experiencing significant weight loss, typically three to five times more than those not on the drugs. However, research suggests that 20 to 40 percent of this weight loss can be muscle mass.
While the findings are promising, experts caution that more research is needed. Around one in ten participants in the study reported side effects like diarrhea and nausea. Furthermore, these supplements are not yet considered a replacement for weight-loss drugs, especially for individuals with obesity-related conditions like diabetes.
Dr. Peiris highlighted that stimulating the gut's appetite-control systems naturally, for instance through a high-fiber diet, can yield similar effects. Foods rich in fiber, such as nuts, seeds, pulses, legumes, and certain vegetables, can also activate the same gut receptors that influence hunger and fullness.
"As a gut scientist who studies nutrient-sensing mechanisms, it's encouraging to see human studies showing changes in appetite and appetite-regulating hormones," Dr. Peiris said. "But eating a diverse diet, particularly one rich in fibre can have a similar effect – because these nutrients also stimulate these gut receptors."