Medications used to treat obesity, such as Ozempic, may be influencing more than body weight alone. According to a new observational study conducted in Denmark, treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists appears to be associated with measurable changes in food purchasing behaviour, potentially encouraging healthier dietary patterns.
The study, led by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and published in JAMA Network Open, analysed nearly two million supermarket receipts from more than 1,100 Danish participants. The findings indicate that individuals undergoing treatment with GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide-based drugs, tended to purchase foods with lower caloric content, reduced levels of sugars, saturated fats and carbohydrates, while slightly increasing their intake of protein-rich products.
Changes observed beyond clinical settings
Unlike many previous studies focusing primarily on physiological outcomes such as weight reduction or metabolic control, this Danish research examined real-world consumer behaviour. Participants receiving GLP-1 treatments showed a consistent decline in the purchase of ultra-processed foods considered unhealthy, suggesting that these medications may affect appetite regulation and food preferences in daily life.
The authors note that the study is observational and therefore cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Nevertheless, it provides a novel perspective on how pharmacological treatments for obesity may extend their influence beyond the clinic and into everyday decision-making.
The research team, led by epidemiologist Kathrine Kold Sørensen, acknowledged methodological limitations, including the inability to control for all external influences on shopping habits. However, they emphasised that the scale and detail of the purchasing data offer valuable insights into behavioural trends.
Implications for obesity and diabetes management
Experts in Spain, consulted by the Science Media Centre España, broadly agree that the findings align with emerging clinical observations. Cristóbal Morales, from Vithas Hospital in Seville and a board member of the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity, described GLP-1 medications as potential “facilitators of healthier lifestyles”.
He stressed, however, that such treatments should not be viewed as a standalone solution. “These drugs are not the end of obesity, but rather the beginning of a long-term approach to health,” he noted, emphasising the importance of sustained lifestyle changes alongside pharmacological therapy.
Behavioural change remains essential
From a nutritional and behavioural standpoint, researchers in Spain caution against overinterpreting the results. Joana Nicolau, a researcher at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department of Son Llàtzer University Hospital, highlighted the originality of using shopping behaviour as a marker of dietary environment. Still, she warned that changes in food purchases may also be influenced by medical advice, nutritional counselling or increased motivation following the initiation of treatment.
This view is reinforced by Josefa García Barrado, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Salamanca, who pointed out that medication alone cannot replace behavioural therapy. She underlined that long-term success depends heavily on patients’ adherence, habits and broader lifestyle choices.
A broader perspective on long-term outcomes
The Danish findings contribute to an expanding body of research examining the wider impact of GLP-1 drugs. While they do not radically alter existing scientific evidence, they support the notion that these medications may help create conditions favourable to healthier choices.
At the same time, recent studies have warned of weight regain after discontinuation of GLP-1 treatments, reinforcing the consensus that lasting benefits require parallel changes in diet, physical activity and behaviour.
As healthcare systems in Europe continue to address rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, research from Denmark and expert perspectives from Spain underscore a shared conclusion: pharmacological innovation can support healthier living, but it cannot replace the foundations of long-term lifestyle change.