Sugar cravings may be a gut feeling

The connection between the brain and gut is getting a lot of attention, and much is being learned about how that interconnectedness influences hormonal balance, emotional states, and even cravings.

A recent study has revealed that the amount of a specific gut microbe called B. vulgatus can impact how strongly a person craves sugar. Researchers found that this microbe produces Vitamin B5, which in turn triggers production of the appetite regulator, GLP-1, made famous by drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. From this, they learned that people with lower amounts of B. vulgatus in their gut had stronger sugar cravings than those with higher amounts. A common effect of GLP-1 drugs is the reduction of "food chatter" in the brain.

Scientists know that B. vulgatus isn’t the only gut microbe that influences GLP-1 production, but they believe this finding can lead to the development of new treatments for metabolic disorders like diabetes.

Learn more about how B. vulgatus affects sugar cravings in this article from Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/your-candy-cravings-might-be-...