New Brain-Gut Circuits for Sugar and Fat Cravings Discovered

The combined cravings for sugar and fat can trigger a compelling desire to overeat, potentially undermining dieting efforts.

Scientists from the Monell Chemical Senses Center have discovered distinct brain-gut circuits for sugar and fat, which can trigger cravings for unhealthy foods without our awareness.
The combined cravings for sugar and fat activate a compelling desire to overeat, shedding light on why fats and sugars are particularly alluring.
The study reveals distinct fat and sugar-craving pathways in the brain, and the combination of these pathways excessively triggers our desire to eat more than usual.
The researchers manipulated fat or sugar neurons in the vagus nerve systems of mice, demonstrating that both types cause dopamine release in the brain’s reward centers.
The team hopes their research can be used in the future to develop anti-obesity strategies and treatments, making dieting easier by altering gut-brain reward circuits to reduce unhealthy eating habits.