Purdue Study Examines How Ozempic and Similar Drugs Impact Food Habits

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STATEWIDE–GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound treat diseases related to blood sugar and weight management. Professor Joe Balagtas with Purdue University’s Department of Agriculture says Purdue did a survey that indicate positive results of these drugs.

“In our survey, 14% of respondents tell us they are currently or have been on one of those drugs. Consumers who are on GLP-1 drugs are much happier with their diets than the rest of us. Only 6% of consumers who are on or have recently been on GLP-1 drugs tell us they’re unhappy with their diets,” said Balagtas.

Half of the respondents also said that people using these drugs are spending less money on food and eat less food.

“Moreover, these drugs appear to change the types of foods that people eat. Consumers who use these drugs tell us they eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains,” said Balagtas.

Balagtas says the data also shows that 60% of Americans on these drugs eat out less often.

“Those meals in restaurants tend to be higher in fat, higher in sugar, and generally less healthy for us,” said Balagtas.

Balagtas believes these results are going to have big implications for the farms, food manufacturers, and retailers who make up the food system in the United States.