The 'egg and olive oil diet' craze for weight loss in South Korea

Instead of spending on expensive injectable weight loss drugs like Wegovy, many South Koreans are turning to a social media-viral egg and olive oil diet to curb their appetite.

As the use of injectable weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro grows in popularity across South Korea, some individuals seeking a more economical way to control their appetite have embraced a combination of eggs and olive oil trending on social media, according to The Korea Herald.

The recipe, typically featuring boiled eggs, extra virgin olive oil, and pepper, is promoted online for its purported ability to boost the body's secretion of GLP-1, a hormone linked to satiety and reduced food intake. Some users even compare this method to GLP-1 stimulating injectable drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, though experts assert their effectiveness is not comparable.

Screenshot of search results for 'natural Wegovy' in Korean on Instagram. Photo: The Korea Herald

This trend is spreading across social media platforms in South Korea, with numerous posts from users in online communities and entertainers sharing their successful weight loss results. Short videos showcasing the recipe, with titles such as "natural Wegovy" or "natural Mounjaro", have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Notably, a video posted by popular YouTuber Chimchakman exceeded 3.58 million views in just five days.

The basic method involves eating boiled eggs with extra virgin olive oil and pepper in the morning. In South Korea, variations using sesame oil or perilla oil instead of olive oil have also emerged. This adaptation caters to local tastes while aiming for a similar feeling of fullness.

Breakfast with boiled eggs and olive oil is creating a 'craze' on Chinese social media. Video: Instagram

The high cost of Wegovy and Mounjaro in South Korea further fuels interest in this diet. According to the telemedicine application My Doctor, the average monthly price for low-dose prescriptions ranges from 290,000 won (nearly 5 million VND) for Wegovy and 430,000 won (over 7.3 million VND) for Mounjaro.

Experts suggest this diet may help some individuals feel full longer, as protein and fats can slow digestion and influence the release of appetite-related hormones, including GLP-1. "The cholesterol and protein content in eggs provides a much greater sense of satiety than many expect," said endocrinologist Woo Chang-yoon in a video on his personal channel. "When olive oil is consumed with eggs, naturally released hormones in the body can help individuals feel fuller."

However, medical professionals caution against viewing this social media trend as a substitute for medical treatments or a shortcut to weight loss. Excessive oil intake can increase calorie consumption. Moreover, GLP-1 hormone released naturally through food does not have the sustained effect or potency of prescription drugs containing GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Experts advise that while this diet may have fewer side effects than medication for some individuals, those with obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders should consult a doctor rather than relying on viral online diet trends.