Juniper vs Second Nature

Jump to: Quick comparison | Clinical evidence | Support and coaching | Who should choose each | FAQs | Take home message

When choosing between Juniper and Second Nature for medication-supported weight loss, the key differences come down to clinical background, UK healthcare integration, and whether one-to-one coaching is included or costs extra.

Second Nature has focused exclusively on weight management since 2017 and is commissioned by the NHS across 43 ICBs and Health Boards. Our 12-month outcomes are published in JMIR Formative Research¹.

Juniper is a digital weight-loss programme owned by Eucalyptus, an Australian health technology company. Since launching in the UK in 2022, Juniper has grown to 150,000 members globally and has published peer-reviewed UK outcomes data in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism².

Both services prescribe the same medications. The differences lie in their clinical track record, how they deliver support, and their philosophy on long-term weight maintenance.

This guide was written by Second Nature, so it naturally reflects our perspective, but we’ve aimed to present Juniper’s strengths and limitations as fairly as possible.

Juniper vs Second Nature: quick comparison

Trustpilot ratings and review counts checked on 15 October 2026.

Clinical evidence and NHS partnership

Second Nature: NHS-commissioned, with published 12-month outcomes

Second Nature has focused exclusively on weight management and behaviour change for over eight years. The NHS has commissioned our programmes since 2017, with 43 ICBs and Health Boards across the UK using our services to support over 250,000 patients.

Our published research in JMIR Formative Research shows specific outcomes for our medication-supported programme¹:

• 19.1% average weight loss at 12 months among the 135 active subscribers
• 77.7% of the 179 participants with 12-month weight data achieved at least 10% weight loss
• 69% of the 116 survey respondents reported no side effects at month 12

These results do not include everyone who started: 341 people joined the study, and 179 provided weight data at 12 months.

Separately, an NHS England-funded evaluation reported weight loss at 12 months across providers in the digital NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme³. These were results from diabetes prevention services, rather than GLP-1 medication programmes.

Juniper: peer-reviewed UK outcomes at 5 and 12 months

Juniper has invested meaningfully in clinical research through its parent company Eucalyptus. Their UK-specific study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, reported²:

• 10.73% average weight loss at 5 months
• 82% achieved at least 5% weight loss
• 52% achieved at least 10% weight loss

Juniper has also published a separate study on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) outcomes in Telemedicine Reports, showing 13.79% average weight loss in 16 weeks among their UK patients.

Juniper has also published 12-month UK tirzepatide outcomes in Healthcare⁷. The studies use different medications and methods, so a direct comparison of their results cannot establish which programme is more effective.

What we can say is that both programmes have committed to publishing their outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, which is more than many competitors in this space can claim.

Juniper also has a randomised controlled trial (RCT) underway, with its protocol published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. If completed and published, this would add a higher level of evidence to their clinical data.

Both programmes now have peer-reviewed UK research covering 12 months. Neither study directly compared the two services.

Second Nature also has NHS commissioning alongside its published medication-supported programme research.

Support and coaching

Second Nature: registered dietitians and structured behaviour change

Second Nature provides an assigned UK-registered dietitian or nutritionist for one-to-one coaching, available five days a week through both group and private messaging. These professionals are:

• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or the Association for Nutrition (AfN)
• Trained specifically in GLP-1 medication support
• Supervised by senior dietitians
• Supported by in-house psychologists on behaviour change coaching

One-to-one coaching is included in your membership, alongside human-led webinars and AI support for everyday food and habit questions. AI can provide quick answers between conversations with your coach.

Your nutritionist or dietitian gets to know your circumstances, agrees practical changes with you, and follows up on how they’re working. This ongoing relationship provides personal accountability and professional judgement alongside the app’s daily support.

This approach reflects the clinical standards we’ve developed through our work with the NHS since 2017.

You’re also placed in a small peer group with others on similar programmes. Research consistently shows that peer support improves weight-loss maintenance⁴, and this community element is built into every Second Nature membership.

Our programme follows the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour)⁵ and runs across four phases: Core, Grow, Maintain, and Sustain. This structured approach is designed to help you build habits that last beyond medication, which matters because research found that participants regained around two-thirds of the weight they’d lost in the year after semaglutide and the study’s lifestyle support stopped⁶.

Second Nature’s app includes:

• 300+ recipes designed for weight-loss medications
• Food and mood journals identifying patterns
• Daily educational content (audio or written)
• Habit tracking with behavioural insights
• Medication management with side-effect support

Juniper: women-focused coaching with strength and nutrition

Juniper takes a different approach, with a programme specifically designed around women’s weight loss. Their support model includes:

• One-to-one dietitian coaching available as a paid specialist add-on, according to Juniper’s current FAQs
• Unlimited follow-up consultations with pharmacist prescribers
• An AI health companion (‘June’) for day-to-day questions about nutrition, exercise, and side effects
• A structured coaching course designed by physiotherapists and dietitians
• A private Facebook community for peer support

Juniper’s distinctive focus is on muscle maintenance during weight loss, with a high-protein nutrition philosophy and strength training programme built into their app. This is a genuine differentiator; preserving lean muscle mass is an important consideration during medication-supported weight loss, and Juniper has made it central to their programme design.

Juniper claims to be the ‘only medicated weight loss programme focused on fat loss and muscle maintenance’, and their coaching course includes zone 2 cardio and low-impact strength exercises.

Their own adherence study found that the average Juniper patient stays on the programme for about six months (183 days), with cost being the most common reason for discontinuation (38.7%).

The main difference is what’s included. Second Nature includes ongoing one-to-one coaching from an HCPC-registered dietitian or AfN-registered nutritionist, plus webinars and daily AI support.

Juniper also lists registered dietitians in its team. Its current FAQs describe personal dietitian coaching as a paid add-on, while June, clinical care, and patient support remain available within the programme.

Who should choose each programme?

Choose Second Nature if you:

• Want a programme backed by published, peer-reviewed 12-month clinical outcomes
• Value NHS-commissioned approaches and institutional trust built over eight years
• Want support from a UK-built company that’s helped over 300,000 people lose weight
• Want one-to-one support from registered dietitians and nutritionists included alongside webinars and AI support
• Benefit from small peer support groups and shared accountability
• Want a structured behaviour change plan (COM-B framework) for life after medication
• Want the option of a non-medication programme

Choose Juniper if you:

• Prefer a women-focused programme designed specifically around female weight loss
• Want a strong emphasis on muscle maintenance and strength training alongside medication
• Value a large, established global provider with 150,000+ members and 14,100+ Trustpilot reviews
• Prefer June AI for daily support, with the option to pay extra for personal dietitian coaching
• Want a wider range of medication options (Mounjaro, Wegovy, Orlistat)
• Want a money-back guarantee on your first month

Frequently asked questions

Is Juniper or Second Nature better for Mounjaro?

Both services prescribe Mounjaro and include clinical monitoring alongside the medication. The difference is in the support that comes with it.

Second Nature provides registered dietitians trained in GLP-1 medications, a structured four-phase behaviour change programme, and small peer support groups. Our published research shows 77.7% of participants with 12-month weight data achieved at least 10% weight loss¹.

Juniper includes June AI support, prescriber consultations, and a focus on high-protein nutrition with strength training for muscle maintenance. Personal dietitian coaching is available as a paid add-on.

Their published UK research includes both 5-month outcomes and a 12-month tirzepatide study^2,7. If preserving muscle mass is a top priority for you, Juniper’s approach may be particularly appealing.

Does Juniper have peer-reviewed research?

Yes. Juniper has published UK-specific outcomes data in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism², which is a respected peer-reviewed journal. This study reported 10.73% average weight loss at 5 months among UK patients.

They’ve also published a tirzepatide-specific study in Telemedicine Reports, and their parent company Eucalyptus claims over 20 peer-reviewed publications globally. Additionally, Juniper has an RCT underway that could provide higher-quality evidence in future.

Both providers now have peer-reviewed 12-month UK outcomes. These studies used different medications and methods, so they don’t establish that one programme is more effective^1,7.

Is Juniper available on the NHS?

No. Juniper is a private programme with no NHS commissioning or partnerships. Second Nature has been NHS-commissioned since 2017, with 43 ICBs and Health Boards across the UK using our services.

This NHS relationship reflects confidence in our clinical approach, governance standards, and data security. It’s worth noting that NHS commissioning is not a requirement to prescribe weight-loss medications safely; it’s an additional layer of institutional validation that indicates a programme has met rigorous public healthcare standards.

Is Juniper only for women?

Juniper is primarily designed as a women-focused weight-loss programme. Their marketing, coaching content, and community are built around women’s health concerns, including menopause-related weight gain.

Second Nature’s programme is open to all adults, with support from dietitians who tailor advice to individual needs regardless of gender. If you’re looking for a programme that isn’t gender-specific, Second Nature may be a better fit.

Can I switch from Juniper to Second Nature?

Yes. We’ll review your medical history and current medication to ensure a safe transition. Our prescriber will advise when to take your next dose based on your current medication and treatment history.

Many members join Second Nature after starting with other providers, often seeking more structured behaviour change support alongside their medication. Our dietitians will work with you to continue your progress without disruption.

Which has better customer reviews?

Both services have strong Trustpilot ratings. Juniper has 4.5/5 from over 14,100 reviews, while Second Nature has 4.6/5 from over 8,100 reviews.

Juniper’s Trustpilot profile covers its UK service. Second Nature’s reviews have been built consistently over eight years of operation.

Both ratings suggest genuine member satisfaction, and it’s worth reading recent reviews on both platforms to get a feel for the specific experiences that matter most to you.

Is Juniper an Australian company?

Juniper is owned by Eucalyptus, an Australian digital health company that operates across Australia, the UK, Germany, and Japan. Juniper launched in the UK in 2022 and is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

While Juniper’s parent company is Australian, its UK operations are regulated by UK bodies, and its published UK research uses data from UK-based patients. Second Nature, by contrast, was founded in the UK and has focused exclusively on UK patients and NHS partnerships since 2017.

Does Juniper offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Juniper offers a 25-day money-back guarantee on your first order. If you’re not satisfied for any reason within the first 25 days of receiving your first delivery, you can cancel for a full refund (subject to their terms and conditions).

Second Nature offers a separate No-Regain Guarantee for eligible members who complete a 12-month commitment plan.

If they stop medication under clinician guidance and regain more than 20% of the weight lost within the following 12 months, they may qualify for a partial refund, subject to the full terms.

Compare Juniper with the best UK medicated weight-loss programmes and Voy. You can also check Second Nature’s NHS availability and read about private Mounjaro prescriptions.

Take home message

Second Nature and Juniper both prescribe effective weight-loss medications at broadly comparable prices. Both have published peer-reviewed UK outcomes data, and both have strong Trustpilot ratings from thousands of members. The choice comes down to what matters most to you.

Second Nature brings eight years of specialist weight management experience, NHS commissioning across 43 health boards, published 12-month outcome data, and one-to-one coaching from registered dietitians or nutritionists, human-led webinars, and daily AI support included as standard.

Our structured behaviour change programme is specifically designed to help you build habits for life after medication. Some people still need ongoing medication to maintain weight loss⁶.

Juniper has built significant scale quickly (150,000 global members), offers a women-focused programme with a distinctive emphasis on muscle maintenance and strength training, and provides June AI support, with personal dietitian coaching available as a paid add-on. Their published UK research includes 12-month outcomes, and an RCT is underway.

If NHS experience, included one-to-one coaching, and structured behaviour change are your priorities, Second Nature is likely the better fit. If you prefer a women-focused programme with a focus on muscle maintenance and app-first engagement, Juniper may suit you better.

Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes

Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.

Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?

Because peace of mind matters.

We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.

Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.

With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.

We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.

References

1. Richards, R., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered GLP-1RA-Supported Specialist Weight Management Program in Adults Living With Obesity: Retrospective Service Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 9, e72577.
2. Talay, L., et al. (2024). Effectiveness and care continuity in an app-based, GLP-1 RA-supported weight-loss service for women with overweight and obesity in the UK. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 26(8), 3432-3442.
3. Ross, J.A.D., et al. (2022). Uptake and impact of the English National Health Service digital diabetes prevention programme: observational study. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, 10(3), e002736.
4. Lemstra, M., et al. (2016). Weight loss intervention adherence and factors promoting adherence: a meta-analysis. Patient Preference and Adherence, 10, 1547-1559.
5. Michie, S., van Stralen, M.M. & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6, 42.
6. Wilding, J.P.H., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(8), 1553-1564.
7. Talay, L., et al. (2026). 12-Month Weight Loss and Adherence Predictors in a Real-World UK Tirzepatide-Supported Digital Obesity Service: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. Healthcare, 14(1), 60.