(Vienna, 08 October 2025) A recent study led by the Center for Public Health at the Medical University of Vienna shows that in people who are obese or overweight and are treated with so-called incretin-based drugs, changes in taste perception may be linked to differences in appetite regulation. The study, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, thus provides important evidence that sensory changes could be an additional factor in the effect of these therapies.
The study included 411 adults who were treated with the active ingredients semaglutide (trade names Wegovy, Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro). These drugs belong to the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) or to a class of active substances that also influence the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Both substances interfere with appetite regulation and thus support weight loss.
More than half of the participants reported a reduced appetite and about two-thirds said they felt full more quickly. Around one-fifth of participants noticed changes in taste perception, particularly with sweet or salty tastes. Statistical analyses showed that an increased perception of sweet tastes was associated with increased satiety, reduced appetite and reduced food cravings. An increased perception of salty tastes was also associated with increased satiety.
The results of the study, led by Ali Kapan and Richard Felsinger from the Center for Public Health at MedUni Vienna, suggest that changes in sensory perception during therapy may play a role in appetite regulation. However, no direct link between these taste changes and the extent of weight loss could be established. The study is based on an online survey and is exploratory in nature. It therefore does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about causes and effects. Nevertheless, it provides evidence that sensory changes could be an additional explanation for the effect of these therapies.
Obesity affects more than two billion adults worldwide and poses a significant risk for numerous secondary diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and fatty liver. In addition to lifestyle changes such as dietary changes and exercise, drug-based approaches are also increasingly being used. GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists such as tirzepatide influence feelings of hunger and satiety via hormonal signalling pathways and have been in clinical use for several years. Their effect on taste perception and its significance for treatment success are currently being intensively researched.
Publication: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Real-world insights into incretin-based therapy: Associations between changes in taste perception and appetite regulation in individuals with obesity and overweight: A cross-sectional study.
Ali Kapan, Othmar Moser, Richard Felsinger, Thomas Waldhoer, Sandra Haider.
DOI: 10.1111/dom.16548