a genetic defect, the key to stopping us from craving sweets?

“Excess calories from sugar is a recognized contributor to obesity and type 2 diabetes. In the UK, free sugars, such as sucrose, account for 9-12% of dietary intake, and 79% of The population consumes up to three sugary snacks per day. Meanwhile, genetic defects in sucrose digestion have been linked to irritable bowel syndrome, a common functional disorder that affects up to 10% of the population. said Peter Aldiss, a researcher at the University of Nottingham Medical School (England).

A variation in the sucrase-isomaltase gene reduces sugar consumption and cravings

In a study, published in the journal Gastroenterologythe scientist and his team wanted to know if there was a link between these genetic defects and the consumption of sugary foods. To do this, she first observed the eating behavior of mice lacking the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene when products rich in sucrose were given to them. “Oral gavage with sucrose in these animals was associated with alterations in the plasma concentration of the post-ingestive appetitive peptides, glucosedependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which may alter the appetite and satiety”, can we read in the works. Thus, the rodents showed a rapid reduction in their sucrose intake and preference.

Then, in a second analysis, the team explored differences in human dietary habits, assessing dietary intake in two population-based cohorts involving 6,000 adults in Greenland and 134,766 people from the UK BioBank . “In the Greenlandic population, we took advantage of the presence of a relatively common sucrase-isomaltase gene variation, which we studied in relation to dietary intake questionnaires,” the researchers said. According to the results, participants with a complete inability to digest sucrose in Greenland consumed significantly less cakes, pastries, candy, chocolate and even sugary drinks. In contrast, Britons with a defective and partially functional sucrase-isomaltase gene liked these sucrose-rich foods less.

Digestive and metabolic health: towards therapies targeting the sucrase-isomaltase gene?

“In the future, understanding how defects in the sucrase-isomaltase gene act to reduce intake and preference for dietary sucrose will facilitate the development of new therapies to help reduce sucrose intake on a population-wide basis. the population in order to improve digestive and metabolic health”, a conclu Peter Aldiss.