You may already know that Wegovy is highly effective for weight loss. In fact, the new maximum dose of 7.2 mg, which will be available soon in the UK, has been shown to achieve up to a 20.7% reduction in body weight.
But did you know that there’s actually a whole host of Wegovy health benefits beyond just shrinking your waistline? We’re talking heart protection to reproductive health—and researchers are even exploring its impact on complex conditions such as addiction and Alzheimer’s disease.
So, without further ado, let’s break down the benefits of Wegovy besides weight loss.
Wegovy could improve heart health and reduce stroke risk
Wegovy heart benefits are a great place to start. First up, getting to a healthy weight can improve blood pressure and cholesterol for everyone, while lowering levels of fat in the blood—all of which have cardiovascular benefits.
Plus, semaglutide (Wegovy’s active ingredient) has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of serious heart problems like heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy is currently the only GLP-1 medication licensed in the UK for this purpose among people who are overweight and/or have heart disease. Clinical trials found that participants taking semaglutide were 20% less likely to experience a stroke, heart attack, or further heart issues.
Wegovy helps keep blood sugar under control
Wegovy helps keep blood sugar under control by stimulating insulin production and telling the liver to produce less glucose. This can help keep diabetes at bay, or, for those who have diabetes already, can help them manage it.
People who have diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin naturally, or are resistant to insulin’s effects, causing their blood sugar to become too high.
The weight loss brought about by Wegovy helps here, too. Since weight gain – specifically the inflammation it causes – can bring on insulin resistance as well.
Wegovy could reduce kidney risks
People with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) face a high risk of kidney failure.
A 2024 study tested whether semaglutide could help reduce kidney risks, alongside heart risks, in people with diabetes. Among 3,500 participants, semaglutide lowered the risk of major kidney problems by 24% compared with placebo, and slowed the decline in kidney function.
Wegovy might improve PCOS symptoms
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that causes irregular periods, excess body hair and acne. It often goes hand-in-hand with insulin resistance. Together, the hormone imbalance and insulin issues make it easy to gain weight.
It can turn into a cycle: the weight gain exacerbates insulin resistance, so the body makes more insulin. But that extra insulin raises disrupts hormone balance even more, contributing to further weight gain—and aggravating PCOS symptoms like acne, hair loss, and irregular periods.
Because Wegovy helps regulate insulin and targets weight loss, it can help break that cycle.
In a 2023 study, people with PCOS and a BMI of 30+ took semaglutide for six months and lost an average of 11.5 kg, and most saw their menstrual cycles become regular again. Even losing just 5% body weight has been shown to reduce PCOS symptoms.
Could Wegovy prevent Alzheimer’s?
If we become resistant to insulin, we become less responsive to the messages that insulin sends to the brain. This can reduce the brain’s ability to get the energy it needs and function properly—and, in some people, can eventually develop into dementia.
By helping regulate insulin and blood sugar in the body, it’s thought that a medication like Wegovy might help protect the brain. A 2024 study supports this: Using health records from over a million patients with diabetes, researchers found that people taking semaglutide had a lower risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease than those treated with insulin or other GLP-1 medications.
In animal studies, semaglutide has been shown to reduce harmful plaque buildup in the brain and calm neuroinflammation, both of which can contribute to Alzheimer’s.
Semaglutide is currently being studied as a potential treatment for early Alzheimer's.
Wegovy might help treat addiction
People taking semaglutide have said they have less “food noise”, AKA a constant and distracting habit of thinking about food. This isn’t an addiction per se, but the impact here has suggested that Wegovy could be helpful in managing addictive behaviours.
In a recent study of people with an alcohol use disorder, researchers found that semaglutide led to significantly fewer alcohol cravings and a reduction in alcohol consumption over nine weeks. In a smaller group of participants who smoked, semaglutide helped them cut down on cigarettes as well.
Researchers are now considering whether semaglutide could be used to treat alcohol use disorder.
Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Where Wegovy may be preferable
If you’re on a weight loss journey, you might be wondering about the benefits of Wegovy over Mounjaro. Let’s break it down.
- Wegovy is more affordable. With Mounjaro’s recent price increase, Wegovy has become the more accessible option for a lot of people.
- It offers comparable weight loss. As we mentioned, the higher Wegovy dose of 7.2 mg, coming soon to the UK, helped trial participants lose an average of 20.7% of their body weight, with about one in three losing 25% or more—close to the results seen with Mounjaro.
- It’s the only GLP-1 licensed for heart protection. Wegovy is an approved medication for lowering the risk of major heart problems in people with obesity and heart disease in the UK. Mounjaro may have similar benefits, but it isn’t yet approved for this use in the UK.
Wegovy vs Ozempic: What’s the advantage?
Similarly, you might compare the benefits of Wegovy over Ozempic.
Wegovy and Ozempic share the same active ingredient (semaglutide), but they’re designed for different purposes. Ozempic is primarily a diabetes medication, with weight loss as a secondary benefit, while Wegovy is specifically approved for weight management.
Wegovy is also available at higher doses, and research shows that higher doses of semaglutide lead to better results. So it may be more effective for people looking to lose a significant amount of weight.
For a deeper dive on comparing the two, check out Voy’s guide to Wegovy vs. Ozempic.
Your weight loss journey
Ultimately, this isn’t just a medication for weight loss. The health benefits of Wegovy are notable, too: from heart health to brain protection and beyond. If you’re curious whether Wegovy could help you reach your health goals, find out in just a few minutes by taking Voy’s quick quiz.
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