Better Than Mounjaro? This Japanese Drink Is Going Viral for Weight Loss
See easy, healthy swaps for less-common ingredients
Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro have become household names, helping treat type 2 diabetes, reduce inflammation and support weight management. But these types of GLP-1 medications are often expensive, costing more than $1,000 a month without insurance. As a result, people have taken weight loss into their own hands with a natural Mounjaro drink making waves on TikTok. But is it actually safe and worth adding to your routine? We spoke to an expert to find out everything you need to know about the popular Japanese Mounjaro recipe.
Can the viral Japanese Mounjaro recipe aid weight loss?
Depending on the video or recipe you find on social media, Japanese Mounjaro ingredients can vary. However, the most common ingredients are kombu seaweed, ginger, matcha and fermented plum. Can any of these ingredients lead to significant weight loss or deliver tangible health benefits, though? We break each one down.
Matcha may lower body fat
“Studies show green tea [like matcha] can be helpful in weight loss. One study reports the efficacy of matcha against obesity,” says Yvette Hill, RDN, IBCLC, Women’s Health & Lifestyle Medicine Dietitian referencing research in Frontiers in Nutrition. The animal study found that mice who consumed matcha daily for eight weeks lost weight, had lower body fat, better blood sugar, lower cholesterol and a healthier liver, all despite consuming a diet high in fat.
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Aside from aiding weight loss, “matcha can help support cardiovascular health and the immune system,” says Hill. “It can also support healthy blood sugar.”
Seaweed lowers blood sugar
“Seaweed is low in calories, but also has bioactive compounds that may reduce weight. One study shows its ability to prevent the accumulation of fat,” says Hill, referencing a Medical Sciences study. The animal research found that rats given seaweed daily for four weeks had improved liver health, lower LDL cholesterol and fasting blood sugar and gained less weight and body fat, even while consuming a high-fat diet. The benefits don’t end there: “Seaweed is a source of iodine, which can also support thyroid health,” adds Hill.
Ginger revs metabolism
“Research has shown that ginger may reduce body weight, improve body composition and increase energy metabolism,” says Hill, referencing a Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry study. The research found that mice given ginger daily for 16 weeks gained less weight and body fat, had lower cholesterol and blood sugar and showed increased “fat browning,” a process that helps the body burn more calories. So it’s no wonder this ingredient was included in the viral Japanese Mounjaro recipe.
Bonus: “Ginger has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can also aid digestion,” says Hill.
Fermented plum adds a tangy twist
Fermented plums may be one ingredient in the Japanese Mounjaro recipe you’re less familiar with. Popular in many Asian cultures, fermented plums are preserved through lacto-fermentation, where natural bacteria consume the fruit’s sugars and create lactic acid. This process gives the plums a tangy flavor and helps them stay fresh longer. Unfortunately for weight loss, “there’s not a lot of research available on fermented plum,” says Hill.
Japanese Mounjaro recipe for weight loss
While research supports the health benefits of certain active ingredients, more studies are needed to determine how effective the Japanese Mounjaro recipe actually is for sustainable weight loss. Still, the ingredients are generally considered safe to consume in moderation, though they’ll never deliver the impressive results you can expect from prescription medications like a GLP-1. If you’d like to give the Japanese Mounjaro recipe for weight loss a try, consider this version from Enzo Recipes:
Ingredients:
- 1 thumb-sized piece of dried kombu seaweed
- 8 oz. warm water
- 1 tsp. Matcha powder
- 1 umeboshi plum or 1 tsp. umeboshi paste
- 1 slice fresh ginger, finely grated
Directions:
Steep the kombu in warm water for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk the matcha powder and a splash of warm water until frothy. Remove the kombu from the water, then stir in the plum, ginger and frothy matcha into the kombu water. Add a touch of fresh lemon juice or honey to taste, if desired. Serves 1.
For best results, try sipping the drink in the morning and pairing it with a balanced diet and exercise. “Because matcha can provide an energy boost, some people may choose to drink it first thing in the morning or before exercise,” says Hill. “But green tea can also help manage food cravings, so it might be helpful between meals.”
Simple swaps for the Japanese Mounjaro recipe
If you want to try Japanese Mounjaro but are worried about finding all the ingredients you need, don’t be. Matcha and ginger are widely available at grocery chains like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Walmart. Kombu seaweed and fermented plum may be harder to find, in which case Hill suggests these easy swaps:
- Use dates instead of fermented plum: “Dates are high in fiber, which can make you feel fuller longer and can mitigate blood sugar spikes,” Hill says. “You can even make a date paste to incorporate it into the drink.”
- Use nori seaweed instead of kombu: “This seaweed is typically available in local stores and has also been included in the weight loss study,” Hill reveals. “Also, try shopping online at retailers like Amazon for more seaweed options as well.”
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