Japanese Brand Launches Innovative Drink That Becomes Jelly In Your Stomach To Suppress Hunger

Japan is always ahead of the curve, so it’s no surprise they’ve come up with a new way to curb hunger that could aid in weight loss. We should’ve seen this coming! While we were caught up in the Trimspa craze with Anna Nicole Smith, Japan’s Morinaga, the company behind HiChew, was busy developing a drink that tackles hunger in a whole new way.

Meet “In Tansan,” a carbonated beverage designed to transform into jelly once it reaches your stomach, leaving you feeling full. Intriguing, right? “Tansan” translates to “carbonated” in Japanese, and Morinaga’s “In” brand is already famous for its jelly-based health snacks. But how exactly does this drink work?

In Tansan is formulated to react with stomach acids, turning into a gelatinous substance that traps the carbonation bubbles, creating a solid that fills your stomach and, in theory, curbs hunger. The drink comes in two flavors—lemon and dry grapefruit—with the grapefruit version having zero calories, and the lemon containing just 18 calories thanks to the use of sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit.

According to Japanese outlet SoraNews24, journalist duo Master Blaster tested the drink and reported that it kept hunger at bay for about two hours, working “really well.” After finishing the whole can, they noticed a clear reduction in hunger, though it didn’t completely disappear. They did mention that the texture might throw some people off—it’s liquid but has a subtle jelly-like consistency.

However, dietitians remain skeptical about its long-term effectiveness. 

Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston University in the U.K. and a member of the British Dietetic Association, noted that while the drink is likely safe, it probably won’t deliver the same hunger-reducing effects as prescription drugs like semaglutide, a medication used for weight management and type 2 diabetes treatment. Mellor also cautioned that one of the drink’s sweeteners, erythritol, can act as a laxative and may interfere with the absorption of other medications if consumed in large amounts.

For now, In Tansan is hard to find, often selling out on Amazon Japan, but its unique approach to hunger management is definitely worth keeping an eye on.