Nestlé has introduced a new protein shot in the United States aimed at helping people control their hunger and support weight loss.
The product, called Boost Pre-Meal Hunger Support, is designed to be consumed up to 30 minutes before a meal. It is targeted at individuals who use GLP-1 medications or other weight-loss drugs. According to Nestlé, the protein drink triggers a natural response in the body similar to, but much less intense than, popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound.
Stefan Palzer, Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer, explained to Reuters that the shot boosts the body’s natural GLP-1 levels, which help control hunger. “This dose has a significant effect on satiety,” Palzer said.
The shots are available online on Amazon and at some CVS stores for $10.99 for a pack of four. Each shot contains 10 grams of whey protein, 45 calories, just one gram of sugar, and is fat-free. The product is marketed as promoting a “NATURAL GLP-1 response to a meal.”
Lora Heisler, an expert in human nutrition and director of research at the Rowett Institute, expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the product for weight loss. She said, “I believe that this protein shot can help release a bit more GLP-1, but you could possibly have a similar effect with a glass of milk.”
Nestlé says the product works by using a mix of peptides that are digested quickly, leading to an amino acid spike that curbs hunger. The whey protein micro-gels in the shots are designed to be digested slowly, allowing them to interact longer with receptors in the intestines that release the GLP-1 hormone.
In 2021, Nestlé conducted a study with 26 people with type-2 diabetes, who were given either a low-dose whey protein microgel or a placebo, followed by a meal that caused a significant spike in glucose. After one week, the participants switched treatments. The results showed that those who took the whey protein had a 22% reduction in glucose levels during the two hours after the meal, compared to those who took the placebo. The whey protein also had a positive impact on GLP-1 levels.
Nestlé hopes that these protein shots will offer an accessible, natural way to help control hunger for those working to manage their weight.
