New Study Finds Semaglutide Improves Taste Sensitivity in Women with Obesity: Implications for Weight Loss

Boston, MA, Massachusetts, USA United States of America
Effect may also lead to missing out on important nutrients if an individual does not consume a healthy, diverse diet.
May help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and support dietary changes towards a healthy weight.
Modifies gene expression related to taste perception and renewal of taste buds on the tongue.
Participants experienced changes in brain response to sweet tastes.
Semaglutide improves taste sensitivity in women with obesity.
New Study Finds Semaglutide Improves Taste Sensitivity in Women with Obesity: Implications for Weight Loss

In recent studies, semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, has been found to improve taste sensitivity in women with obesity. The findings may provide insight into why these drugs are effective at helping people lose weight.

According to research presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, semaglutide improved taste sensitivity in women by modifying gene expression related to taste perception and renewal of taste buds on the tongue. Participants also experienced changes in brain response to sweet tastes.

Obese individuals often perceive sweet tastes as less intense and require more sweet-tasting agents to satisfy their reward-producing need for sweet. However, semaglutide's effect on taste sensitivity may help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and support dietary changes towards a healthy weight.

It is important to note that while semaglutide can improve taste sensitivity, it may also lead to missing out on important nutrients if an individual does not consume a healthy, diverse diet. Additionally, some users have reported experiencing dysgeusia (a condition that makes foods taste metallic, sweet, sour, or bitter) as a side effect.

The studies were led by scientists from the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of semaglutide's impact on taste perception and its potential role in weight loss management.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are the findings from this study definitive proof that semaglutide's effect on taste sensitivity is the primary reason for its weight loss benefits?
  • Is it possible that other factors, such as appetite suppression or metabolic effects, contribute to semaglutide's weight loss benefits?

Sources

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Now doctors are warning of 'Ozempic tongue' - the latest bizarre symptom of weight loss drug

Daily Mail Online News Site Luke Andrews Monday, 03 June 2024 14:17
  • Unique Points
    • Ozempic users have been complaining of changes to their sense of taste while taking the weight-loss drug.
    • A study showed that some people who take semaglutide, the active drug in Ozempic, experience a change to a gene on the tongue involved in taste.
    • Participants in the study experienced sweet tastes ‘more intensely’ than those who had not used the drug.
    • Semaglutide may have caused the shift because it mimics the fullness hormone GLP-1, which studies show is also linked to taste perception.
    • Patients on Ozempic have described reduced cravings for other foods including fast foods and alcoholic beverages such as wine.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Weight Loss Drugs Like Wegovy and Ozempic Can Influence Taste Sensitivity

Healthline Media Inc. Tim Newman Tuesday, 04 June 2024 11:11
  • Unique Points
    • Semaglutide significantly affects taste sensitivity in women with obesity as shown by increased gene expression related to taste signaling transduction pathways.
    • , Brain scans revealed increased activity in the angular gyrus of the parietal cortex when participants took semaglutide, which may alter an individual’s sensation of reward linked to sweet tastes and support dietary changes towards a healthy weight.
    • Semaglutide reduces appetite but may lead to missing out on important nutrients if an individual does not consume a healthy, diverse diet.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article makes several statements that imply facts without providing clear evidence or linking to peer-reviewed studies. For example, the statement 'These drugs may significantly influence taste perception' and 'Semaglutide also reduces appetite and slows digestion, leading to a decrease in food intake and weight loss.' While these statements may be true, they are not backed up by clear evidence in the article. Additionally, the article makes several editorializing statements such as 'because of these intriguing relationships' and 'This change in the angular gyrus might alter an individual’s sensation of the reward linked to sweet tastes. In this way, it could support dietary changes and move the individual toward a healthy weight.' These statements are not neutral facts but rather opinions or interpretations of the data presented.
    • Semaglutide also reduces appetite and slows digestion, leading to a decrease in food intake and weight loss.
    • These drugs may significantly influence taste perception
    • This change in the angular gyrus might alter an individual’s sensation of the reward linked to sweet tastes. In this way, it could support dietary changes and move the individual toward a healthy weight.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

88%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ozempic, Wegovy changes response to sweet tastes in females with obesity

Medical News Today Corrie Pelc Tuesday, 04 June 2024 11:13
  • Unique Points
    • Researchers found that semaglutide improves taste sensitivity in women with obesity.
    • Study participants who took semaglutide experienced a modification in gene expression in the tongue responsible for taste perception.
    • Participants also had a change to the brain's response to sweet tastes.
    • Obese individuals may perceive sweet tastes as less intense and require more sweet-tasting agents to satisfy their reward-producing need for sweet.
  • Accuracy
    • Participants who took semaglutide had changes in taste perception, alterations to their taste bud gene expression, and changes in brain activity in response to sweet tastes.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. First, the author states 'Everyone tastes foods differently, but people with obesity have a weakened sense of taste.' This is a generalization and not based on fact. While some people with obesity may have a reduced sense of taste, it is not true for all individuals. Additionally, the article states 'Obese individuals might perceive sweet tastes as less intense and may need more sweet-tasting agents to satisfy their reward-producing need for sweet.' This statement implies that all obese individuals have a reduced sensitivity to sweet tastes and require more of it to feel satisfied, which is not necessarily true. The article also states 'For this study, researchers recruited 30 women with an average BMI of 36.4 who received semaglutide or a placebo for 16 weeks.' However, the article does not provide any information about how the participants were selected or if they were representative of the larger population. This lack of transparency could be considered deceptive. Lastly, the article states 'Improvements in taste sensitivity in the tongue and gustatory coding in the brain can potentially modulate the circuitry for ingestive decision-making, particularly when eating behavior becomes dysfunctional.' This statement implies that improving taste sensitivity will automatically lead to healthier food choices and better eating habits, but this is not necessarily true. Therefore, based on the provided analysis rules, I would score this article a 50 for deception.
    • Everyone tastes foods differently, but people with obesity have a weakened sense of taste.
    • Obese individuals might perceive sweet tastes as less intense and may need more sweet-tasting agents to satisfy their reward-producing need for sweet.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    There are no formal or informal fallacies present in the article. The author presents information on a study without making any invalid logical leaps or overgeneralizations. They accurately report the findings of the research and include relevant quotes from experts to support their claims.
    • Everyone tastes foods differently, but people with obesity have a weakened sense of taste.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

86%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ozempic tongue? How the drug can change some women's ability to taste

New York Post Tracy Swartz Saturday, 01 June 2024 15:02
  • Unique Points
    • Semaglutide changes the taste sensitivity, perception, and brain’s response to sweet tastes in women with obesity according to new research.
    • Semaglutide reduces appetite and lowers the desire for energy-dense, salty, and spicy foods as per researchers.
    • Those who took semaglutide saw improved taste sensitivity and changes in taste perception and brain activity in response to sweet tastes.
    • More than 0.4% of Ozempic users have reported developing dysgeusia, a condition that makes foods taste metallic, sweet, sour, or bitter according to the US Food and Drug Administration.
    • Some women taking Ozempic have complained about changes in taste on TikTok.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The author makes editorializing statements and uses sensational language in the title and body of the article. She also selectively reports information by focusing only on the negative side effects of Ozempic without mentioning its benefits or providing context for its usage. The author does not provide any peer-reviewed studies to support her claims.
    • Semaglutide changes the taste sensitivity, the taste perception, and the brain’s response to sweet tastes in women with obesity
    • For their study, Jensterle Sever and her colleagues gave 30 obese women 1 milligram of semaglutide or a placebo and followed them for 16 weeks.
    • Those who took the semaglutide saw improved taste sensitivity and experienced changes in their taste perception and brain activity in response to the sweet tastes.
    • Ozempic tongue?
    • According to the US Food and Drug Administration, more than 0.4% of Ozempic users have reported developing dysgeusia – a condition that makes foods taste metallic, sweet, sour, or bitter.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic might also make your taste buds better

Quartz News Site Ed Cara Monday, 03 June 2024 01:49
  • Unique Points
    • Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may improve taste sensitivity in humans.
    • Women taking semaglutide showed improved taste sensitivity to sweetness in a 16-week trial.
    • Changes in gene expression linked to sweetness perception and renewal of taste buds in tongue cells of those taking semaglutide.
    • MRI scans revealed changes in brain response to sweetness, particularly in the angular gyrus and parietal cortex.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    No formal fallacies found. However, there are a few informal fallacies and dichotomous depictions present in the article.
    • . . . scientists found that women taking semaglutide improved their taste sensitivity, particularly to sweetness.
    • Increasing taste sensitivity could actually help with weight loss by reducing the desire for excessively sweet, high-calorie foods.
    • The angular gyrus is thought to help integrate our different senses to better understand the world around us and solve problems, while the parietal cortex is known to have cells that carry GLP-1 receptors.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication