A groundbreaking study has revealed that semaglutide, an oral medication designed to aid weight loss and blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes patients, also alters food preferences and reduces overall energy intake.
The research indicates that oral semaglutide significantly reduces the consumption of sugary foods and carbohydrates, contributing to lower body mass index (BMI) and blood sugar levels (HbA1c). While GLP-1 receptor agonists were previously available only as injections, the introduction of oral semaglutide in 2021 has made the treatment more widely accessible.
A research team led by Professor Junya Hironaka from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine’s Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism presented findings from a recent retrospective multicenter observational study. The study, which involved 75 type 2 diabetes patients, assessed the impact of oral semaglutide on food preferences and dietary habits.
Patients aged 20 to 80 were treated at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and Kameoka City Hospital. They took semaglutide for three months, during which researchers analyzed changes in eating patterns using the Brief Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire (BDHQ) and the Control of Eating Questionnaire (CoEQ) while also monitoring blood sugar (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) levels.
The results showed a significant decrease in overall energy intake among patients taking oral semaglutide, with carbohydrate consumption seeing the most substantial reduction.
The study also found decreased cravings for sugary foods, chocolate, and starchy items, along with lower meal satisfaction and food intake frequency. Patients reported greater ease in resisting food cravings and a reduced tendency to seek sugary treats.
Researchers explained that semaglutide delays gastric emptying and suppresses appetite through GLP-1 receptor stimulation. They suggested that GLP-1 receptors may influence sweet taste perception, potentially reducing cravings for sugary foods.
The team emphasized that semaglutide could be particularly beneficial for diabetic patients struggling with obesity, as it may help alter eating patterns and serve as an effective strategy for both weight management and blood sugar control.
Following semaglutide treatment, patients experienced significant decreases in both average BMI and blood sugar (HbA1c) levels. HbA1c levels dropped from an average of 7.6% (59 mmol/mol) to 7.3% (56 mmol/mol), while BMI decreased from 26.9 kg/m² to 25.9 kg/m².
The researchers highlighted that this was the first study to show semaglutide’s ability to control food cravings and aid weight loss beyond just lowering blood sugar levels. They added that the oral form of semaglutide could improve treatment adherence compared to injections.
The study’s findings were published in the February issue of the international journal Diabetes & Vascular Disease Research.
