Critical reviews in food science and nutritionSep 7, 2026

How Diet and the Hormone GLP-1 Work Together in Metabolism and Aging

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Sep 8, 2026

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are effective for obesity and type 2 diabetes management by improving glycemic control and reducing body weight.

Dietary factors such as caloric intake, meal timing, and macronutrient composition may influence the secretion of GLP-1 in the body.
GLP-1-based therapies could alter food choices and preferences for different macronutrients.
There is a bidirectional relationship between dietary intake and GLP-1 biology.
Understanding these interactions may aid in developing personalized nutrition strategies alongside GLP-1 therapies.

Simplified

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have emerged as highly effective therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes by improving glycemic control and reducing body weight, primarily through the suppression of energy intake. Recent evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between dietary intake and GLP-1 biology. Dietary factors, including caloric intake, meal timing, and macronutrient composition, may influence endogenous GLP-1 secretion, while GLP-1-based therapies may alter food choice and macronutrient preference. This review discusses the effects of dietary intake on endogenous GLP-1 regulation and examines how GLP-1-based therapies influence ingestive behavior and food preference, with particular emphasis on the responses to macronutrient composition. We further discuss the potential interaction between dietary intake and pharmacological GLP-1 signaling and its implications for metabolic health and aging. A better understanding of these bidirectional interactions may contribute to the development of personalized nutritional approaches that complement GLP-1-based therapies and improve long-term management of metabolic dysfunction.