For some people taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, food just doesn’t taste the same. A new study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism suggests these medications can subtly change how sweet or salty foods are perceived, and that may play a role in appetite control.
Researchers in Germany and Austria surveyed 411 adults who were overweight or had obesity and were taking one of the three drugs for at least three months. About one in five said food tasted sweeter (21%) or saltier (23%) than before. Those who noticed changes in taste were also more likely to say they felt full sooner, had a reduced appetite and experienced fewer cravings.
Overall, more than half of participants reported feeling less hungry, and nearly two-thirds said they got full faster. But the researchers found no direct link between changes in taste and actual weight loss.
“These drugs act not only in the gut and brain areas that control hunger but also on taste bud cells and brain regions that process taste and reward,” says study author Othmar Moser, University of Bayreuth. “This means they can subtly change how strong flavors, like sweetness or saltiness, are perceived. This, in turn, may affect appetite.”
The findings add to growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists influence more than digestion and hormones. Shifts in taste could help explain why people on these medications often report not just eating less, but also thinking about food differently.
Still, experts caution that weight loss depends on many factors beyond taste, including metabolism, diet quality and long-term habits. And because the study relied on self-reported data from an online survey, the results should be interpreted with care.
For patients, being aware of taste changes could help tailor food choices during treatment; for example, by finding alternatives if favorite foods suddenly taste overwhelming or less appealing.
The study received no specific grant funding. The lead author reports personal and institutional relationships with several pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Sanofi.