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Excessive consumption of sugary beverages is a known contributor to obesity and diabetes. Sugars are highly rewarding and activate reward centers of the brain. Sweet taste signaling is traditionally thought to be translated to the brain via activation of the T1R2/T1R3 taste receptors and subsequent cranial nerve activation. Oral taste tissue, however, may also recognize glucose via metabolic signaling as glucose is transformed into ATP, which can then activate cranial nerves via KATP channels in taste bud cells. We are investigating how this metabolic signal is translated in the brain and how it can affect preference, liking and reward for sweet beverages as well as post-meal blood glucose control. This project includes human sensory trials and blood glucose tolerance tests as well as animal neuroscience studies. The research may be foundational for developing strategies for reducing sugar intake and improving blood glucose control, with potential to reduce obesity and diabetes.
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