Ozempic, Wegovy, & Mounjaro: Study reveals users experience surprising taste changes and craving reduction

Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy may cause changes in how food tastes, how cravings feel and in appetite, as per a new European study.

Mounjaro is a diabetes medication that has garnered significant attention since its introduction to the NHS earlier this year. While people often talk about it for weight loss, it also changes how some people taste food. New research has found two surprising ways Mounjaro can affect taste, which may help reduce cravings and make patients feel fuller.

Study reveals how Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are revolutionising weight loss beyond diet (Adobe Stock)

By Tavishi Dogra

Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust.

Career journey and experience
Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon.

From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?”

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With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions.

In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.

Education and professional background
Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.

Editorial Philosophy
I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers.

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The findings about Mounjaro's effect on taste perception were presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, held in Vienna. The research, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, involved a survey of 411 overweight or obese individuals who had used Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro for over 40 weeks.

Key insights from the study include:

• Taste alterations: About 20% of participants reported that foods were sweeter or saltier.
• Reduced appetite: Over half (58.4%) of the participants noted they felt less hungry, while 63.5% felt fuller after meals.
• Reduced cravings: Among Mounjaro users, 41.3% reported significant decreases in food cravings, a higher percentage compared to those on the other medications.

What is Mounjaro, and how does it work?

Mounjaro is a type of medication that helps people with diabetes. It is also becoming popular for helping with weight loss. "Along with other medicines like Wegovy and Ozempic, Mounjaro not only helps control blood sugar levels but can also alter how people perceive taste", clinical nutritionist Shabana Parveen tells Health Shots. These changes in taste can affect cravings and appetite.

Does Ozempic affect taste?

The recent study shows that patients taking Mounjaro and similar medicines experience notable changes in how they taste food.

• Increased sweetness sensitivity: Approximately one in five patients reported that foods tasted sweeter than before. "This heightened perception of sweetness can lead to reduced cravings for high-sugar foods, making it easier for individuals to adhere to healthier eating habits", says the expert.
• Enhanced salt sensitivity: A similar portion of those surveyed felt that their food tasted saltier. This increased sensitivity to salty flavours can help reduce cravings for salty snacks, contributing to better dietary choices and a lower overall appetite.

What is the science behind taste?

Professor Othmar Moser, the study's lead researcher from the University of Bayreuth, emphasised the importance of understanding these taste changes. He stated, “If changes in taste are linked to greater appetite control and weight loss, this could help clinicians better select therapies, provide more tailored dietary advice, and improve long-term treatment outcomes for patients.”

Key takeaways from the study include:

• Cravings and fullness: Patients who experienced heightened sweetness were twice as likely to feel full more easily, and 67% more likely to report a reduction in appetite.
• Salt sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to salty flavours led to individuals feeling fuller more quickly than those without these changes.

Do your taste buds change when you lose weight?

Changes in taste can affect appetite, but research did not find a direct link between these changes and lower body mass index (BMI). The study reveals that numerous factors influence weight loss, underscoring the complexity of managing weight effectively.

These findings are important for healthcare providers seeking to manage their patients' weight. By tracking how people view food, providers can create more effective treatment plans tailored to each person's specific needs.

If you're considering Mounjaro or any incretin-based therapy for diabetes or weight management, consult with your healthcare provider.