How GLP-1s Like Ozempic Turn Down ‘Food Noise’ to Help You Lose Weight

A recent study found that using GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, can help reduce food cravings. The researchers found that GLP-1 medications can reduce “food noise” better than behavioral therapy alone. Food noise refers to persistent and intrusive thoughts about food that make healthy eating habits difficult.

The concept of “food noise” has garnered attention since the introduction of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic , Wegovy , and Mounjaro for weight management. Food noise is defined as intrusive and persistent thoughts about food that can interfere with daily life and make healthy behaviors more difficult. Most of the evidence suggesting that GLP-1 medications helped quiet food noise was anecdotal — until recently. A new study examined short-term changes in food noise in a digital behavioral weight management program both with and without GLP-1 drugs . The findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, but were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 12–15. “Food noise is powerful, so when the noise is less, and the environment is more ‘quiet,’ the individual is less likely to consume foods that may contribute to weight gain,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick , president of KAK Consulting and dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Wellness & Preventive Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Kirkpatrick wasn’t involved in the study. “Typically, food noise is the loudest for foods that are often additive in nature, such as ultra-processed foods ,” she told Healthline. “Think candy, cookies, bread-based snacks and meals, snack foods, pizzas, etc. Food noise is not the same as hunger. It’s instead tied to powerful, often intrusive cravings.” This observational study included 417 adults who were participating in a digital behavioral weight management program. The researchers evaluated a one-month change in food noise using the Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) .

Key points

• The concept of “food noise” has garnered attention since the introduction of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic , Wegovy , and Mounjaro for weight management.
• Food noise is defined as intrusive and persistent thoughts about food that can interfere with daily life and make healthy behaviors more difficult.
• Most of the evidence suggesting that GLP-1 medications helped quiet food noise was anecdotal — until recently.
• A new study examined short-term changes in food noise in a digital behavioral weight management program both with and without GLP-1 drugs .
• The findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, but were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 12–15.