I come from a culture where cooking plays an important role: discussing tastes, associations, cooking methods is part of everyday life. But what would happen if a drug changed our relationship to food and taste?
Ozempic, an antidiabetic marketed since 2017 by Novo Nordisk, became known via the social network TikTok for its appetite suppressant effect and its ability to induce weight loss. Its molecule, semaglutide, reproduces the action of GLP-1, a hormone regulating blood sugar as well as appetite and satiety. It is now also available in a higher dose version, Wegovy, prescribed in France since October 2024 for severe obesity.
The pressure to use it is strong. The High Authority for Health has just revised its opinion on Wegovy, opening the way to future reimbursement while social security does not reimburse adapted physical activity sessions or dietary consultations.
And it is precisely on the dietary level that semaglutide has a notable effect: users are turning away from ultra-processed, very sugary, fatty or salty foods, towards fresh products. “I eat pineapple, cucumbers, ginger (…) I love chard”, testifies in the New York Times a “follower”, who can no longer stand the sweet taste of a simple candy. The drug therefore modifies what food historian Amy Bentley calls our “industrial palate,” influenced by flavors and textures based on modified starch, sweeteners, colorings, etc. A medicine to get out of the junk food trap? At first glance, this seems positive.
However, the food industry giants were quick to react. In their laboratories, they are now seeking to create products that appeal to consumers undergoing GLP-1 treatment, rather than letting them choose fresh, unprocessed products. Big Food does not intend to let Big Pharma do it!
Although this phenomenon is currently only observed in the United States, let us remain vigilant. In this new year, let’s take the time to rediscover the simple pleasures of home cooking, one that respects our tastes, our bodies and our environment. Let’s make each meal an act of pleasure, awareness and sharing. Let us cultivate our autonomy by choosing natural ingredients and preserving what makes our culinary heritage rich. Best wishes for a year full of authentic flavors and nourishing exchanges!
Under no circumstances can the information and advice offered on the Plantes & Santé site replace a consultation or diagnosis made by a doctor or health professional, the only ones able to adequately assess your state of health.
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