Why are overweight people more likely to eat sweets?

Scientists from Stony Brook University have discovered why some people cannot live without sweets and experience the taste of sugar less than others.

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According to the results of the study, neurosteroids are the cause.

Neurosteroids are a group of steroid substances that directly affect the central nervous system and are involved in controlling the functions of nerve cells. They are known to regulate stress levels and mood.

An excess of these compounds in the body can reduce sensitivity to sweet tastes. As a result, people can consume more sweet foods than they should without realizing it. This study was conducted in a laboratory on mice, because their taste receptors are similar to those of humans.

Scientists have conducted more scientific research on the neurosteroid allopregnanolone, because it is this substance that is found in higher levels in the body in overweight people.

As a result, scientists found that allopregnanolone affects GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors, which are responsible for transmitting signals in the brain.

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.


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Injecting allopregnanolone into animals has been shown to reduce their ability to distinguish between sweet and salty tastes. That is, when the effect of GABA receptors was blocked, the mice stopped feeling the difference between sweet and plain water.

The data obtained indicate that the decrease in taste sensitivity may be associated with changes in the activity of GABA receptors. If the level of neurosteroids in the body increases, the sense of taste weakens, which leads to people consuming more sugar to compensate for the lack of pleasure from food. Over time, this leads to a violation of eating habits and weight gain.

In addition, taste sensitivity is affected not only by neurosteroids, but also by long-term use of alcohol and some sedatives. They reduce the activity of GABA receptors and impair the ability to perceive taste signals.

This study explains why overweight people have a high desire for sweets. Also, this information can serve as the basis for the development of new methods of combating obesity. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”