Your sweet tooth could be genetic
Specialists have been able to identify a gene that’s associated with regulating the body’s intake of sugary foods
If you’re the type that can’t resist sweet treats, it may in fact be a genetic issue. After analysing the biological data of 451,099 people, scientists found that a variant of a gene called FGF21 dictates the body’s nutritional needs. While they found that the gene prompts people to eat sugary foods, they also discovered that the same gene may also help decrease body fat.
The findings, which were published in the journal, Cell, may also increase people’s alcohol intake. Researchers explained that the expression of the gene leads to the production of a hormone in the liver, which sends a signal to the hypothalamus region of the brain that stimulates glucose uptake and increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
First author of the report, Timothy Frayling, said of the findings, “We were surprised that the version of the gene associated with eating more sugar is associated with lower body fat.”
