Doctors are now sounding the alarm about a new side effect linked to the blockbuster weight-loss drug Ozempic—something users are calling “Ozempic tongue.” Many people say foods, especially sweets, taste strange, too strong, or simply unpleasant. And for some, the cravings they once struggled with have nearly disappeared.

Researchers in Europe may finally understand why.

A new study suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may actually change a gene on the tongue that helps detect taste. Women taking the drug reported that sweet flavors hit them “more intensely,” almost like turning up the volume on the taste buds.

One researcher explained the turning point clearly:
“Semaglutide improved taste sensitivity in women with obesity.”

That simple shift may explain why online forums are filled with people saying they can’t stomach their once-favorite treats—chocolate, donuts, even wine. When sweetness becomes overwhelming, those cravings naturally fade.

Scientists believe this happens because semaglutide mimics GLP-1, the hormone that signals fullness and also plays a role in taste perception. Studies on mice show that when GLP-1 is missing, the desire for sweet foods drops almost instantly.

The study followed 30 women over four months, testing their taste sensitivity with small flavor strips and even performing MRI scans after meals. The results were striking: those on Ozempic showed stronger reactions to all four major tastes.

And for many patients, that shift brings mixed emotions. Less craving means easier weight loss… but favorite foods don’t taste the same.

Still, doctors say these findings could help guide better conversations about expectations, appetite, and long-term dietary habits.

For anyone considering the drug, one message is clear: the body can change in surprising ways. Sometimes, even the tongue tells the story.