Doctors have refuted these claims The energy drink Celsius contains the same ingredients as the popular weight loss drug Ozempic.
The claim made waves on TikTok, with the search term “Celsius drink ozempic” hitting 11.7 million views.
Health experts call the claim “ridiculous,” stating that the drink’s high caffeine content is likely to suppress appetite and lead to weight loss.
The stock of TikTok videos should also be taken with a pinch of salt, as consuming above-average amounts of caffeine can lead to liver or kidney damage, which consumers who have consumed too many Celsius drinks claim.
TikTokers claim the energy drink contains Ozempic, the brand name for the drug Semaglutide, which is approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management
A 12-ounce can of Celsius contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, more than many other energy drink brands. This is also twice the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee
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Celsius is an energy drink said to be made with “healthier ingredients” including ginger, green tea and essential vitamins.
According to the brand’s website, the drinks contain no sugar, aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial preservatives.
However, a recent lawsuit alleged that the “no preservatives” claim was fake because the drink contained citric acid. People who purchased Celsius products between January 1, 2015 and November 23, 2022 were eligible for a $250 payout.
A 12-ounce can contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, twice that of an 8-ounce cup of coffee.
That’s more than brands like Monster, Red Bull and Rockstar plus a shot of espresso or a cup of cold brew.
Some varieties from the brand contain varying amounts of caffeine, including Celsius BCAA at 100 milligrams and Celsius Heat at 300 milligrams.
The Food and Drug Administration advises that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe for most people.
“We recommend no more than (2) 12-ounce cans/(2) servings per day and that you follow the daily serving recommendations for all other Celsius products,” the brand’s website states.
The caffeine in Celsius drinks is derived from guarana extract, a plant native to the Amazon.
According to recent research, 70 percent of the guarana produced is used by the beverage industry in soft and energy drinks, the rest is processed into powder.
Celsius contains several active ingredients that are said to increase energy. These are listed in a proprietary (prop) blend called “MetaPlus Proprietary Blend”.
While some are natural, others are not, and Illuminate Labs nutritionists recommend not combing some.
For example, the drinks contain the stimulant glucuronolactone, which Illuminate Labs said “we recommend avoiding when combined with caffeine and taurine.”
Another ingredient is citric acid, which has been shown to cause inflammatory responses throughout the body in some individuals, according to a study published in Toxicology Reports.
Sucralose is also listed on the nutrition label. A clinical study found that it “induced unfavorable changes in insulin levels in young and healthy adults.”
Registered Dietitian DJ Mazzoni shared, “Celsius may not be actively harmful, but we certainly do not recommend drinking it regularly.”
In videos that have been viewed more than a million times, users claim that Celsius energy drinks contain Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes and weight loss drug. However, medical experts have refuted the claims, saying it is simply caffeine that suppresses appetite
While some are natural, others are not, and Illuminate Labs nutritionists recommend not combing some
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a brand name for the drug Semaglutide, which suppresses appetite and induces weight loss.
It was approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes in 2017.
The drug binds to the GLP-1 receptor, a protein that triggers hormones in the brain that keep the stomach full and tell the body to stop eating and avoid cravings.
In 2022, more than five million prescriptions were written for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus (for another Novo drug that uses semaglutide) or Wegovy for weight management.
This compares to just over 230,000 in 2019 – an increase of more than 2,000 percent in three years.
As early as 2023, doctors have written more than 832,700 prescriptions for Ozempic’s sister drug, Wegovy.
Does Celsius contain Ozempic?
While the claim that Celsius drinks contain Ozempic quickly gained traction on social media, experts say it’s false.
“Celsius does not contain Ozempic.” “Celsius has caffeine,” a pharmacist on TikTok who calls himself The Millennial Pharmacist said in a video last month.
“Caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant, which can help with weight loss.”
The brand has also denied these claims.
“Celsius products do not and never did contain semaglutide,” a company spokesman told FOX Business.
However, the company said the drinks can help burn calories, which leads to weight loss.
“Celsius products provide functional energy that, when combined with proper nutrition and moderate exercise, has been shown to increase metabolism through thermogenesis,” the spokesman said.
This, in turn, causes the body to burn more calories and body fat than it would normally do with exercise alone.
Can Celsius cause health problems?
However, consuming too many of these beverages can have serious health effects.
A 2021 case report detailed that a 21-year-old man in the UK was hospitalized with heart and kidney failure after drinking more than half a gallon of energy drinks a day for two years.
He spent more than a week in intensive care and almost two months in hospital overall.
TikTok user Nick Errante posted a video detailing how he drank Celsius before each workout (left). However, he then underwent a heart scan (right), suggesting the drinks were causing him heart problems
However, this equates to about 640 milligrams of caffeine, well above the FDA recommended daily limit.
“Celsius is not known to cause liver or kidney damage when consumed as directed.” “Those who have had side effects from drinking Celsius are likely drinking more than recommended or have existing liver or kidney disease,” one said Statement on the product’s website.
“We encourage you to consult your doctor if you are concerned that Celsius may be affecting your health.”
Additionally, a TikTok user named Nick Errante posted a video last year about heart problems the energy drink caused, he claimed.
The video begins with him saying, alongside a photo of him at the gym, “I’ve been drinking Celsius before every workout for the last two years because I thought I was healthy.” It then ends with a picture of him doing it appears to be undergoing a cardiac examination.
It is unclear what specific problem he had.
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