Scientists have identified a liver hormone that suppresses the desire for sugar which may lead to a way to help people beat their sweet tooth.
Research on mice and monkeys has shown that the hormone, FGF21, signals the brain to avoid seeking sweet foods.
Harnessing the effect, possibly by copying
the hormone's action with a drug, could help patients who are obese or suffering from Type 2 diabetes, scientists believe.
While certain hormones were already known to regulate appetite, this was the first one specific to sugar consumption.
Dr Matthew Gillum, one of the scientists from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said: "We never imagined that a circulating, liver-derived factor would exist whose function is to control sweet appetite.
