Ben Williams
Ozempic has become a household name in recent years, moving from the pharmacy shelves to the red carpets of Hollywood. The weekly injection, originally created to help people with type 2 diabetes, is now being used worldwide to aid weight loss by curbing appetite and taming so-called 'food noise'.
Of course, semaglutide drugs like Ozempic are known to have a number of side effects - the weight loss itself technically being one - including nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and constipation. They have also been linked to several longer-term health issues, such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and kidney failure.
But there's a lesser-known and rather unexpected side effect has been emerging: the way food tastes.
Some patients on Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications report that once-loved meals suddenly taste different, and cravings can vanish almost overnight. For a few, chocolate loses its appeal, while for others, rich and oily dishes become overwhelming.
It’s a shift that has both intrigued and unsettled people using the drug, whilst raising the question of whether the issue’s all in the human mind, or if Ozempic really is changing the taste buds of its users.
Dr Angela Kwong, a Sydney-based GP and obesity expert, explained to HELLO: "Because the medication works at multiple levels, the gut, the brain, the hormonal system, the whole experience of eating can shift. I've seen patients who used to inhale an entire block of chocolate suddenly feel completely satisfied after one square. That’s not the goal in itself, but the sense of control it brings is deeply empowering."
And it’s not just anecdotal. Research from the Medical University of Vienna found that more than one in five people noticed taste changes after three months on GLP-1 medication. Foods were described as tasting sweeter or saltier than usual, with some even developing aversions to flavours they once adored. Interestingly, bitter and sour notes seemed to remain largely unchanged.
Dr Kwong continued: "For some people, these changes are subtle. They simply find rich or oily meals less appealing and start naturally gravitating towards lighter, fresher options.
"Others find it quite profound, their favourite foods no longer spark joy, or they realise they’re no longer thinking about food all the time."
Dr Alex Craven, a Melbourne-based bariatric surgeon, points out that this isn’t entirely new. Craven pointed out: "We’ve seen similar effects for decades in bariatric surgery patients. When the body’s weight-defence mechanisms are bypassed or suppressed, whether through surgery or medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, it appears to trigger changes in how food is perceived and prioritised by the brain."
As for what’s going on, scientists believe the changes could be linked to how GLP-1 drugs interact with the brain’s reward systems, particularly the hypothalamus. There are also suggestions that GLP-1 receptors in taste buds may play a role, alongside the slowing of digestion, which can make certain foods feel heavier and less appealing.
For most, the experience is far from negative. Many people simply develop a preference for lean proteins, vegetables and lighter meals, aligning well with healthy eating guidelines. Accredited practising dietitian Chris Hughes advises: "First, don’t panic. It’s common for food preferences to change slightly as your hormones adjust. Lean into whole foods that feel good, and focus on nutrient-dense meals, even if your portion sizes are smaller."
The good news is that, for most users, the changes settle down once weight stabilises; in the meantime, spices, herbs and mindful eating can help make meals enjoyable again.