Researchers from New Zealand's Bioeconomy Science Institute have identified a bitter hops extract, known as Amarasate, that may aid significant fat loss. The 24-week study suggests this 75p-per-dose supplement could serve as a natural alternative or adjunct to popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy.
The 20-40% muscle loss risk in GLP-1 users
The rise of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy has transformed the weight-loss landscape, with over 2.5 million people in the UK currently using these injections. However, these pharmaceutical interventions are not without significant drawbacks, particularly regarding body composition. As the report states, a major concern for users is that 20% to 40% of the weight lost during treatment can come from lean muscle mass rather than fat, which can negatively impact metabolic health.
This trend of muscle depletion has created a demand for interventions that target adipose tissue specifically.. The new research into bitter hops aims to address this exact gap, providing a way to manage weight without the physiological cost of losing essential muscle tissue.
4.5 kg of fat loss from Amarasate
A new peer-reviewed study, funded by the supplement company Calocurb, offers a potential way to mitigate the muscle-loss issue. Conducted by researchers at New Zealand's Bioeconomy Science Institute, the trial followed 128 adults over a 24-week period to test the efficacy of a bitter hops extract known as Amarasate.
The results of the Amarasate trial were stark when compared to the control group. Participants taking a daily 500mg dose of the extract lost approximately 4.5 kg of body fat, which was 3.9 kg more than those in the placebo group. Crucially , the study found that this weight loss was purely fat-based, avoiding the muscle depletion often associated with pharmaceutical weight-loss drugs.
How bitter compounds silence "food noise"
The biological mechanism behind Amarasate relies on the intense bitterness of the hops to trigger specific gut responses. Dr. Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London, explains that these bitter compounds activate specialized sensors in the gut. This activation triggers the release of appetite-suppressing hormones, which effectively reduces "food noise"—the intrusive,repetitive thoughts about eating that often lead to unhealthy snacking.
According to the study, participants reported fewer overall cravings, particularly for foods that are salty, fatty, or savoury.. By targeting the gut's natural signaling systems, the supplement mimics some of the appetite-suppression effects of medical interventions through a natural pathway.
Can a 75p dose replace medical-grade obesity treatment?
Despite the promising fat-loss numbers, the study highlighted several areas of uncertainty and potential side effects. While the extract showed promise, approximately one in ten participants reported experiencing nausea and diarrhoea.. Furthermore, as the report notes, experts like Dr. Peiris caution that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend the supplement as a direct replacement for medical treatments, especially for patients managing obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
A significant question remains regarding the long-term sustainability and clinical depth of this natural approach. While Dr. Edward Walker, the study's lead author, suggested the supplement could serve as a post-therapy tool to prevent weight regain, it is still unknown if the 75p-per-dose regimen can provide the same metabolic stability as clinical GLP-1 interventions over several years. Larger, longer-term studies will be required to confirm if Amarasate can truly stand alongside pharmaceutical giants.
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