People on Mounjaro urged to avoid popular summer drinks as it could ‘make you hungrier'
Those taking Mounjaro for weight loss might want to think twice before ordering that cocktail during their summer holidays. Whilst booze doesn't directly clash with the medication, your go-to sugary drink could sabotage your weight loss efforts and trigger side effects that'll put a dampener on your getaway before it's even properly started.
Alcohol can send your blood sugar plummeting whilst simultaneously leaving you parched, which amplifies any low blood sugar symptoms you might experience according to experts at ZAVA. This becomes even more pronounced for Mounjaro users, potentially causing dizziness, trembling, irritability or exhaustion. Shedding pounds on Mounjaro may also mean your tolerance for alcohol is reduced.
Medical experts cautioned: "Due to the fact that both alcohol and Mounjaro have similar side effects, we recommend that if you are taking Mounjaro, it is best to avoid alcohol, especially after a dose increase or if you already get side effects, however manageable."
Alcohol can also ramp up your appetite and weaken your resolve when it comes to making sensible food choices. This means you're more likely to consume extra calories and undo your weight loss progress as a consequence.
Cocktails are particularly sneaky calorie bombs, with the humble Piña Colada topping the charts at a whopping 320 calories and 58g of sugar per glass. Coming in second place according to ZAVA's findings is the timeless Margarita containing 248 calories, followed by the Espresso Martini at 225 calories - though the creamy foundation of the latter packs in additional high-fat content.
These are dubbed 'empty calories' because they offer zero nutritional value. This results in them being transformed into fat and stored away, causing weight gain as time goes on.
However, it's not solely alcohol you need to watch out for if you're determined to stay on your weight loss journey. The specialists highlighted that popular summer beverages bearing vague labels such as "healthy" rather than "low-fat" or "sugar-free" may fail to live up to their claims.
They said: "Beverages can be marketed as 'healthy' or 'refreshing' without acting on any promises. If you want to drink healthy beverages, it's best to look for packaging that specifies its low sugar and calorific values.
"The main health implications of these sugary beverages are that their calories and sugar content go unnoticed. The high levels of sugar can lead to our blood sugar levels spiking, followed by crashes of fatigue and increased cravings. These crashes trick our brains into thinking that we need more sugar to feel energised again, although our bodies have already consumed a substantial amount of calories and sugar from one drink alone."
If you've recently started taking the weight loss drug Mounjaro and find yourself less inclined to reach for a pint in the first place, you're not alone. A recent study has suggested that Mounjaro could potentially curb the desire for alcohol.
The limited study examined 962 individuals on tirzepatide, with over 70% reporting a decreased urge to consume alcohol. However, further research is required to substantiate these findings.
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