GLP-1 medications are reshaping the modern health and nutrition landscape at an unprecedented pace. In just a few years, what began as a treatment for type 2 diabetes has become a mainstream approach to weight management, changing how millions of people eat, think about food, and support their health.
Today, roughly 15 million Americans are using GLP-1s. A recent Gallup poll found that an average of 12 percent of US adults—one in eight—are current users, while consulting firm PwC has estimated between 17 and 20 percent of US households have someone taking a GLP-1. The number of adults clinically eligible is even higher and new formats and accessibility which will accelerate usage. This is not a trend; it is a generational shift in how metabolic health is being addressed.
Given the increasing use of GLP-1 medications in the general population, studies are urgently needed to better understand how these medications are changing eating behavior, nutrition, and health status.
As part of our ongoing commitment to scientific research regarding nutrition and health, we’re helping fund new studies on the impact of GLP-1 medications on eating behavior and nutrient intake from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University. These studies, which are currently recruiting participants, are some of the first large-scale studies in process on GLP-1 use and nutrition.
Our funding supports research led by Dr. Travis Masterson, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences. Dr. Masterson’s lab studies how GLP-1–related processes influence eating behavior, dietary intake, and what’s often referred to as “food noise.”
His team uses advanced tools such as ecological momentary assessment—technology that captures real-time insights into thoughts and behaviors around food—as well as immersive virtual reality to better understand how people respond to food cues.
As GLP-1 use becomes more widespread, understanding its impact on nutrient intake is essential for developing nutrition strategies to optimize desired health outcomes. Changes in appetite and food intake can have meaningful downstream effects on diet quality and long-term health—areas where rigorous, independent research is only just beginning to emerge.
“This collaboration with AG1 represents a unique opportunity to expand our research aiming to better understand the health impacts associated with use of GLP-1 medications,” said Dr. Masterson. “With this support, we can accelerate our investigations into how GLP-1–related metabolic processes contribute to changes in eating behavior and micronutrient intake, and translate those findings toward new recommendations and solutions that benefit public health.”
“Research on GLP-1 medications and associated metabolic science holds enormous promise for addressing metabolic health,” said Caitlyn Edwards, Senior Research Scientist at AG1. “AG1 is committed to supporting high-quality scientific research that can be translated into new solutions driving better real-world wellness outcomes. Penn State is a global leader in nutrition research, and Dr. Masterson’s work reflects the kind of thoughtful, evidence-driven approach this moment demands.”
Penn State has a long-standing tradition of collaboration between academic researchers and external supporters, and this partnership builds on that legacy.
It also reflects AG1’s broader commitment to advancing nutrition and metabolic health through a rigorous approach to science. Recent initiatives include a long-term research partnership with UC Davis, as well as an academic summit on GLP-1s hosted in partnership with UC Davis and the Innovation Institute for Food and Nutrition in late 2025.
As the science around GLP-1 medications continues to evolve, we believe supporting independent scientific research is essential to helping people make informed decisions—and to shaping the future of nutrition with clarity, responsibility, and care.