Currently, gastrointestinal hormone glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has received significant attention in maintaining glucose homeostasis through mechanisms involving augmentation of insulin, inhibition of glucagon secretion and regulation of gut motility. Therefore, GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) turns to be one of the most promising hypoglycemic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. However, the benefits of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs are not limited to glucose control and weight loss. Here, we provide a concise overview of the roles of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs in autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetic kidney disease (DKD), diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as future challenges in this regard.