Medications like Ozempic have changed the way doctors treat type 2 diabetes, but additionally they have provided a fuller picture of how gut hormones can influence our body and health.
Since our gut hormones greatly influence our brain in terms of appetite and blood sugar regulation, scientists are now searching for a drug-free triggers of those same hormones.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), is a naturally occurring “satiety hormone” produced by the gut, and is mimicked by medications like semaglutide – the main compound of Ozempic. However, the synthetic form stays in the body for a longer period of time.
Although no natural substance has been able to precisely mimic the effects of these synthetic hormones, preliminary research suggests that some meals and the time of their consumption may still be beneficial.
Under the direction of microbiologist Tohada AL-Noshokaty, a group from Heliopolis University in Cairo hopes to create a new era of GLP-1 regulation by utilizing the resources found in nature.
In a June review for Toxicology Reports, the authors propose that “natural GLP-1 modulators, which may be easier on the body, could greatly enhance patient compliance and quality of life.”
“For populations with limited financial or other resources,” they continue, “natural remedies may provide a more accessible and less expensive alternative to conventional medicine.”
AL-Noshokaty and associates searched the literature for their review and discovered a number of examples of natural compounds that might share some traits with GLP-1 medications.
Cinnamon, wheat, whey, ginger, fermented green tea, and a bitter plant ingredient called berberine are among the natural resources that scientists are looking into, though the research is still in its early stages.
Researchers believe that ingesting these natural substances at specific times is crucial to reaping their effects because natural GLP-1 only remains in the body for a brief time before being broken down by enzymes.
1. Whey protein pre-meal
For example, a dose of whey protein before a meal has been shown in many randomized controlled trials over the past year to enhance insulin and blood glucose levels for a brief period of time.
In a new September 2025 study, 18 obese people without type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to drink water or whey protein 15 minutes before breakfast and again before lunch for four days in a row.
After breakfast, those who had the whey protein had much lower blood sugar levels, and at lunch, there was a slight decrease in hunger.
According to the authors of the study, GLP-1 hormones “that are secreted from the gastrointestinal tract and affect appetite by regulating digestive processes and neural signaling in the central nervous system” could be one of the potential reasons.
2. Dietary fiber
It has been shown that dietary fiber can stimulate GLP-1 as well. According to a September 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis, dietary fiber supplements help those who are overweight or obese by enhancing their insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation.
Related: Fiber Can Be as Effective as the Best Weight Loss Diets, Research Shows
The authors of the review speculate that fibers stimulate insulin and suppress hunger via increasing the production of gut hormones like GLP-1, however it’s unclear how exactly they do this.
3. Flavonoids
According to a review published in August 2025, flavonoids—which give foods like citrus or hops their bitter flavors—can also trigger the release of GLP-1.
Quercetin, for example can stimulate the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) through a signaling pathway involving the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 and the phospholipase C (PLC) pathway.
Together, these studies imply that there are simple and natural ways to activate the same pathways as GLP-1 medications, but much more research is required to understand how various foods affect gut hormones.
This raises the idea that eating particular natural foods at specific times of the day may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic problems.
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