Mounjaro health benefits
Medically reviewed by
Dr Brenda IkejiLast reviewed: 11 Nov 2025
Mounjaro is a medication licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight management in the UK. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide, helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite, helping to improve weight loss compared to dieting alone.
In this article, we’ll look at the full range of Mounjaro health benefits, from heart, kidney, and liver benefits, its possible improvements to brain health, and its impact on overall health.
Heart health
One major health benefit of Mounjaro is its link to better heart health. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, has been shown to be effective at reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In a recent study, when compared to other medications, Mounjaro has been shown to reduce the chances of cardiovascular death, heart attacks, and stroke by 8% and 28% when compared to a placebo. Improving your heart health is important, as cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes treatment
Mounjaro can be very helpful in treating and possibly preventing type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that helps the body produce more insulin and regulate blood sugar. Tirzepatide has been shown to have a more positive effect in reducing HbA1c (long-term blood sugar levels) than other medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy).
As well as improving diabetes symptoms, Mounjaro can also manage risk factors and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by 92%. Mounjaro has been seen to increase the pancreas’s ability to respond quickly to rising blood sugar levels and improve insulin release to better manage blood sugar.
Kidney health
Mounjaro can have a positive impact on your kidney health as it leads to improved blood sugar control and weight loss, both of which can affect your kidneys.
The small blood vessels in your kidneys that are used to filter waste from the blood can be damaged by high blood sugar. This can lead to kidney disease and a buildup of waste and fluid in the body. Obesity can also increase the chance of developing kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, as extra weight can put increased strain and inflammation on the kidneys and make them work harder.
A study that looked at how well your kidneys filter your blood and urine (pee) found that people taking tirzepatide were 42% less likely to have serious kidney issues such as major function decline, kidney failure, or heavy protein in the urine.
Brain health
Tirzepatide can have some positive effects on brain health and may lower the chance of developing certain diseases. Early evidence shows promising results for the use of tirzepatide to help prevent declining brain health and dementia in people with type 2 diabetes.
Studies on the effects of Mounjaro and brain health are ongoing, and further research is still needed.
Alzheimer’s disease
There are several conditions, including type 2 diabetes, that are known to increase the risks of Alzheimer’s. Some studies have shown that some GLP-1 medications, including Mounjaro, may also help reduce the chance of Alzheimer’s disease.
Addiction
There is some evidence to suggest that Mounjaro could help with addiction and cravings. Mounjaro works in the brain on the areas that are responsible for cravings and dopamine (feel-good hormone) release, which are responsible for giving you a sense of ‘reward’ after you eat.
This could also have the same effect on addictions such as alcohol, making it less appealing and pleasurable. A study has shown that 71% of people taking Mounjaro have a reduced desire to drink alcohol.
Liver health
Mounjaro can help to improve a number of liver conditions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Eating ultra-processed foods and excessive calories over time can be a key factor in developing liver disease, and taking Mounjaro can help to decrease both of these factors and improve liver health.
It has also been found that Mounjaro can have a positive impact on people with fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. 62% of people taking the highest Mounjaro maintenance dose (15mg) completely resolved their fatty liver disease, and their liver function returned to normal. There was also a large improvement or reversal of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease seen in people taking 5 and 10mg doses.
Sleep benefits
Many people who are overweight or obese may have issues with snoring or sleep apnoea, as extra weight can put pressure on your airways, causing breathing issues while you sleep. Mounjaro has proven benefits for sleep health, with clinical trials showing big improvements for people with sleep apnoea.
Studies have shown a significant improvement in people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea with a reduction of up to 63% of sleep apnoea events per hour.
People taking Mounjaro have also noted other sleep benefits, including less snoring and general improvements in sleep quality, leading to feeling better rested overall.
Colon cancer
Certain risk factors of colorectal cancer, such as chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and changes in your gut microbiome, can be made worse by obesity and diabetes, meaning that people with these conditions are at a higher risk of colon cancer than others.
GLP-1 medications, when compared to insulin or metformin, can lower the risk of colorectal cancer, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. It has been found that the risk is reduced by 50% compared to insulin and 42% compared to metformin.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
It’s estimated that around 64% of people with PCOS and obesity will have insulin resistance, and due to a buildup of sugars, it is harder for people to lose weight and keep it off.
Because Mounjaro helps to regulate blood sugar and insulin resistance, it can make it easier for people with PCOS to lose weight, which can help with other symptoms of PCOS, such as acne, irregular periods, and fertility issues.
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Warnings and side effects
While Mounjaro has a number of positive health benefits, it is important to remember that it can have side effects and is not suitable for everyone. You should not take Mounjaro if:
- you are under 18
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- allergic to any of its ingredients
You should check with your doctor before taking Mounjaro if you have:
- ever had pancreatitis
- a problem digesting food
- kidney problems
- an issue with your eyes, such as diabetic retinopathy
The most common side effects of Mounjaro include:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
- constipation
- stomach pain
Other common side effects you might get while taking Mounjaro include:
- gas
- indigestion
- tiredness
- hair loss
- irritation at the injection site
- burping
- bloating
- low blood pressure
- reflux or heartburn
This is not a full list of side effects. Please see the patient information leaflet for the most up-to-date information on side effects and interactions.
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 11 Nov 2025
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Cardioprotective Glucose-Lowering Agents and Dementia Risk, JAMA Neurology [accessed 9 October 2025]
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GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Colorectal Cancer Risks in Drug-Naive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, With and Without Overweight/Obesity, JAMA Oncology [accessed 9 October 2025]
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Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 8 October 2025]
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