The sweet taste signalling pathways in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract affect human appetite and food intake: a review

Abstract

Sweet taste is associated with food reward and energy source in the form of carbohydrate. Excessive sweet consumption is blamed for the prevalence of obesity. However, evidence for the potential of sweet taste to influence food intake and bodyweight regulation in humans remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to examine the physiological responses relevant to sweet taste mechanisms and the impact on appetite control. The literature was examined for studies that assessed the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners and natural sugars on hormonal secretions and neural activations via oral and gastrointestinal pathways. The findings indicated that a network of sweet taste signalling pathways in the oral cavity and the gut seem to mediate hormonal responses and some metabolism differences in neural circus that orchestrating the hunger-satiety cycle. Individual variations of sweet taste perception which is modulated by hormonal and genetic factors have been associated with dietary nutrient and sugar consumption.

Keywords:

• Sweet taste receptor
• caloric sugars
• non-nutritive sweeteners
• food intake
• hormone
• brain activation

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge editorial assistance by Dr Sharon Johnatty from SugarApple Communications Australia in English editing and finalising the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Higher educational scientific research projects of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region under grant (number NJZZ18153); and Doctoral research start-up fund of Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities under grant (number BS412).