Ozempic, a medication that lowers blood sugar levels, is approved to treat people with type-2 diabetes. As a result, it’s disrupting grocery shopping patterns nationwide in all 50 states. It is known as semaglutide and is sold under the brand name Wegovy in Canada for the treatment of obesity. While Ozempic has been hailed for its remarkable cardiovascular and other health benefits, others are realizing the drug’s side effects, which result in meaningful weight loss. The weekly injection has already led users to change their eating habits, including significant moves to reduce their intake of junk food.
The University of Illinois recently released the results of a nationwide survey of U.S. consumers. It showed that Ozempic users are snacking less and cutting out other high-carb staples. Consumers are shifting their store visits and grocery dollar to foods like proteins and nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial, largely on account of the healthy eating megatrend. On the consumer side, users are seeing amazing weight loss outcomes, losing upwards of 15 to 20 percent of their body weight in clinical trials. This transition has brought many other health benefits along with it, including a reduced risk of heart attacks.
Now that Ozempic users are rethinking their groceries, consumer behavior has shifted. And for the first time, chips and savory snacks show a dramatic decrease in spending. Almost users have reduced their spending by an average of 11 percent. Further, expenditures on sugar-sweetened bakery products showed a 9 percent decrease. These policy shifts on their face show how medication has the potential to alter consumer behavior far past just managing one’s health.
Ozempic’s impact on food purchasing is especially striking considering that Ozempic is used to treat both diabetes and obesity. When taken as directed, it primarily assists individuals with type-2 diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels. Its weight loss perks ended up inspiring countless individuals to try a healthier, low-carb diet. As a result, grocery retailers might have to further tailor their inventory and advertising efforts to meet the needs of this growing consumer segment.
