And lately, reports are surfacing from users of GLP-1 weight-loss medications of truly remarkable alterations in their approaches to food. This has generated increasing excitement and momentum among scientists. Individuals using drugs such as semaglutide, Ozempic, and tirzepatide have described a newfound aversion to meats and fried foods, alongside altered taste perceptions. To date, researchers are working to identify the protective mechanisms that might account for these changes.
GLP-1 receptors, which are known to be important in appetite regulation, are found in taste buds. In fact, activation of such receptors has previously been linked to changes in sweet taste perception in mice. Recent findings suggest that the impact of GLP-1 receptor activation on taste perception in humans is even broader than initially anticipated.
Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes by triggering insulin release, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy) and Ozempic have gained popularity for their weight-loss benefits. These drugs are known to stimulate a feeling of satiety, inducing a decrease in total daily caloric consumption.
To date, users have provided rich anecdotal descriptions of how their taste preferences have dramatically changed since starting treatment. One individual, Siobhan, shared her experience:
“I’ve been eating that curry for 20 years.”
After starting her GLP-1 medication, she noticed that her pleasure from this dish had decreased. Another user, Sarah Streby, noted the social repercussions of her changed palate:
“Now everyone’s complaining the food is too mild because [I] can’t handle the spice.”
These individual accounts are being seen on a larger scale in clinical settings as shown by this recent study. A study involving 46 individuals taking GLP-1 medications indicated that many experienced reduced sensitivity to the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (brothy). This reduced sensitivity likely accounts for frequent consumer complaints of reduced liking for high-fat, savory products.
Richard Doty, a prominent researcher in taste perception, commented on the oversight in research focus regarding GLP-1 medications:
“The focus has always been on sugar, and so people haven’t looked at the other sensory systems any great detail.”
Previous research has indicated an association between GLP-1 drugs and changes in taste — especially in people with diabetes. These safety investigations point to the risk of these drugs having much more serious impacts on a larger group of people.
In previous responses to query letters from pharmaceutical companies, there has been no mention of any systematic data collected on taste changes in relation to GLP-1 medications. An Eli Lilly spokesperson stated:
“We do not have data to share concerning changes in food taste or preference among individuals taking GLP-1 medications.”
In the report, researchers caution that anecdotal reports can provide helpful pointers about evolving landscapes of food preferences. They stress that more controlled, rigorous studies are needed to make any definitive claims.
Alyssa Fraser, another user of a GLP-1 drug, expressed a dramatic shift in her relationship with food:
“Not only am I not cooking or really taking an interest in food — if I want it, it’s sweets.”
GLP-1 medications are radically transforming our experience of taste. This change is making huge impacts on all of our eating practices and culture — what are their effects in the long-term? While the prospect of new preferences can play a huge role in how much weight people lose on these medications.
