Weight-loss drugs may reduce the appeal of alcoholic drinks
alcohol industry has been thriving despite a streak of threats: the legalization of marijuana, a trade war with China that hampers US exports, the rise of the sober-curious movement. Now a new risk is here: weight loss drugs. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy have gained popularity as a fast way to lose weight, thanks to celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian and Elon Musk.
Most people who take GLPs shed at least 5% of their body weight and, depending on the therapy, over half can lose as much as 20%. Newer drugs promise to push those numbers even higher. But they don’t only curb food cravings.
Weight-loss drugs also seem to dampen the rewards of addictive substances, be it nicotine, opioids or alcohol. Scientists have shown that rats, mice and monkeys drink less when given certain GLP1 therapies and are studying whether the same effect can be seen in humans. Early readings from Wall Street analysts suggest that could have an impact on the alcohol industry.
A survey conducted by Morgan Stanley’s AlphaWise research unit found that people consumed 62% less alcohol while on weight loss drugs. Among those drinking less, 22% said they stopped alcohol entirely. Meanwhile, the firm expects the number of people taking obesity drugs to grow nearly fivefold over the next 10 years to about 7% of the US population.
By 2025, it estimates an overall 1.8% reduction in alcohol consumption from such drugs. For perspective, the US alcohol industry amounted to $197 billion in 2022, by IWSR data. A reduction of almost 2% could amount to a $3.5 billion loss in sales.
Those are just estimates. No one has a true handle yet on the long-term impact of these drugs. But specialists say many patients who take them mention an
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