Lose Weight, Drink Less? Surprising Side Effect of Diet Pills
Henry Ford Health, USATue Nov 26 2024
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Popping a pill to shed pounds and ending up drinking less. That's what a recent study found out. Researchers discovered that weight loss medications like Ozempic (known for its generic name, semaglutide) and even the older drug metformin reduced alcohol intake in people participating in a WeightWatchers program. This unexpected side effect left scientists scratching their heads. They believe it might be linked to the weight loss journey but aren't certain yet. While this is intriguing, they caution that more research is essential before using these drugs to tackle alcohol-related problems.
People trying to lose weight were taking these drugs and seemed to be cutting back on their alcohol consumption. This wasn't the main goal of the study, but it's an interesting finding. Could it be that when people feel better about their bodies, they naturally want to drink less? Or might the drugs themselves be affecting how the body processes alcohol? These are questions researchers are now looking into.
Metformin has been around for a while, mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Ozempic, on the other hand, is a newer drug, often prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Both are known to have various effects on the body, but this new discovery adds another layer to their potential benefits.
Scientists are excited but cautious about these findings. They want to ensure that any possible new use of these drugs is backed by solid evidence. After all, alcohol misuse is a serious issue, and any solution needs to be thoroughly tested.
https://localnews.ai/article/lose-weight-drink-less-surprising-side-effect-of-diet-pills-d37c55d4
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