Intuitively, it would seem that GLP-1 use for obesity would reduce overall medical costs despite the increase in drug spending. But thus far, the data don’t show this.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are driving down grocery spending, according to a new study from Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business and consumer data firm Numerator.

For a long time, dieting and exercise were the only realistic options for many people who wanted to lose weight, but recent pharmaceutical advances have led to the development of weight loss drugs. These are based on natural hormones from the intestine that help control food intake,

Higher-income households with at least one user of GLP-1 class of weight loss drugs cut their grocery spending by nearly 9%, a recent study based on data from the market research firm Numerator indicates.