Scientists have developed tiny ‘edible’ beads that could be added to certain drinks and desserts to help you lose weight.

Chinese researchers have developed plant-based microbeads that can travel through the stomach into the gastrointestinal tract, where they effectively attach to and trap fats.

This process leads to reduced fat absorption from food, resulting in more fat being excreted in stools, which significantly lowers calorie intake and potentially assists in weight loss.

In tests conducted on rats, scientists observed a 17% reduction in body weight over 30 days. These rats were on a diet where 60% of their calories were derived from fat.

The research remains in its preliminary phase and has yet to be trialed on humans. Scientists are uncertain if the microbeads might cause side effects, such as gut irritation or interfere with nutrient absorption.

Possible side effects are anticipated to be milder than those associated with Ozempic, which can include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Rarely, it might lead to pancreas inflammation, causing acute pain, or result in a severe intestinal blockage, known as ileus, a potentially life-threatening complication that can lead to sepsis and organ failure.

Additionally, this could serve as a more affordable substitute for injectable treatments, given that an Ozempic pen typically costs $1,000 to $1,200 monthly for those without insurance coverage.

Human trials are now planned in China, and the team, from Sichuan University, is hopeful they could be available within the next few years.

Scientists say the microbeads, made from plants, could be added to bubble teas and desserts (stock image)

Dr Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine physician at Harvard who was not involved in the research, told the Daily Mail that the research was ‘certainly promising’ but still in the early stages.

‘The study presents an interesting and innovative approach to weight loss by using microbeads to physically block fat absorption in the digestive tract,’ she said.

‘But, it is important to recognize that findings in animal models do not always translate directly to humans due to differences in physiology and metabolism.

‘There are also important safety considerations… including their impact on gut health, nutrient absorption, and the potential for microplastic accumulation, remain unknown.’

She added: ‘While this research is a noteworthy step forward and could open new avenues for obesity treatment, it is too early to determine whether it will be revolutionary.’ 

The research was revealed last week at the American Chemical Society’s Fall 2025 meeting.

It was peer reviewed, or checked for accuracy by other scientists, but has not been published in an academic journal.

The microbeads are made from tea polyphenols, natural compounds found in green tea, and Vitamin E, which can trap fat, and are encased in seaweed to allow them to survive stomach acid.

The microbeads are ‘nearly flavorless’, with researchers saying they could be molded to be about the size of a tapioca ball, a 0.2 to 0.4 inch diameter ball made from tapioca starch and often used in Asian desserts.

Rats fed the beads in the study (shown) lost 17 percent of their bodyweight in 30 days, the researchers said

In their study, the team fed three groups of rats, with eight rats in each group, for a month.

Two were fed a diet of 60 percent fat, with only one of these receiving the microbeads, while one was fed a normal diet with 10 percent fat.

Rats fed the microbeads lost weight and saw a reduction in their body’s fat mass, while the other two groups did not lose any weight.

Fats are a major part of the American diet, with the average individual receiving 36 percent of their daily calories from the source, according to the CDC, above the recommended 20 to 35 percent. 

Obesity is a major issue in the US, with an estimated 40.3 percent of adults being obese and another 30.7 percent being overweight.

It is also an issue in the UK, where an estimated 26 to 29 percent of adults are obese, and in Australia, where 31.7 percent are obese. 

Eating too many fats has been linked to weight gain, and associated with complications including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Previously, scientists have attempted to slow fat absorption in the body using orlistat, brand name Xenical, that works by blocking the enzymes that break down fats.  

A researcher is pictured above holding the microbeads

The drug, FDA approved for weight management and available over the counter or on prescription, causes people to lose around five to 10 percent of their bodyweight in a year. 

But it has also been linked to numerous side effects, including kidney and liver damage.

For the microbeads, the scientists say they are now working with a company to start to manufacture them for sale.

They have also launched a trial of the microbeads in humans at the West China Hospital of Sichuan.

Dr Yue Wu, a graduate student who led the study, said: ‘Losing weight can help some people prevent long-term health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

‘Our microbeads work directly in the gut to block fat absorption in a noninvasive and gentle way.’

The research follows the blockbuster success of Ozempic, that can help someone shed one to two pounds per week with little more than a weekly injection.

Unlike Ozempic, these balls will not require an injection, potentially making them much easier to use. They could also be vastly cheaper than the blockbuster weight loss drugs.

They could also be safer for long-term use because they only use parts of plants that are already widely consumed worldwide. 

An estimated one in eight Americans have now tried a GLP-1 weight loss drug, such as Ozempic, equivalent to more than 15million people.