Research Hit: When Your Brain Stills Wants Dessert

New research shows we have brain cells that override satiety for sugar

Are you talking about when we have just eaten a hearty meal and even though we are feeling full, we still feel like dessert?

Precisely, and I confess, I have a real sweet tooth. I can always find place for dessert, or biscuits (cookies for you Americans), and in pretty substantial quantities.

And is this controlled in the brain or stomach?

Well, in theory the stomach sends signals to the brain which should release various transmitters which communicate satiety. But our experience shows this is not the only part and so researchers have turned to mice to explore what is happening precisely.

And did they discover our dessert neurons?

Yes, they did, actually.

They found brain cells deep in the brain in regions associated with eating and appetite called POMC neurons. What they found is that when mice are satiated and were given sugar that these cells released an opiate that triggered opioid pathways in other regions in the brain. This leads to a rewarding feeling and encouraged eating even though full.