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cover of episode This Is Your Brain On Dessert

This Is Your Brain On Dessert

2025/2/21
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Short Wave

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Scott Detrow
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Regina Barber 和 Emily Kwong:我们的大脑会通过复杂的机制来控制我们的食欲。即使我们已经吃饱了,大脑仍然会让我们渴望甜食。这是因为糖分会激活大脑中的奖励机制,释放β-内啡肽,让我们感到愉悦,从而促使我们继续摄入糖分。这种机制与大脑中控制饱腹感的机制相互作用,导致我们即使在饱腹的情况下也难以抵制甜食的诱惑。 Scott Detrow:这项研究揭示了大脑对糖分的渴望与糖分作为能量来源之间的关系。虽然糖分是重要的能量来源,但过量摄入糖分对健康有害。我们需要进一步研究这种大脑通路对暴饮暴食和肥胖症的影响,并探索是否可以利用这一发现开发新的减肥药物。 Henning Fenzelau (推断): 我的研究表明,大脑中存在一条通路,它在饱腹感信号和对糖分的渴望之间起着关键作用。通过阻断这条通路,我们可以减少对糖分的渴望。这为开发新的减肥策略提供了新的思路。我们需要进一步研究这条通路在不同个体中的差异,以及它与其他因素(如遗传和环境)之间的相互作用。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores a new study on the neural mechanisms underlying dessert cravings, even when the stomach is full. Researchers found that sugar consumption triggers the release of beta-endorphins, creating a reward response that overrides satiety signals.
  • Sugar hijacks satiety neurons in the hypothalamus.
  • Beta-endorphins are released in response to sugar, triggering a reward feeling.
  • Blocking this pathway reduces sugar cravings in mice.
  • Similar pathways are found in humans.

Shownotes Transcript

Ever eat a full meal ... and find you still have room for dessert? If so, you're not alone. Sugar is a quick form of energy that many people crave — even when they're full. Today, hosts Emily Kwong) and Regina G. Barber) dive into a new study on the neural origins of the "dessert brain."*Want us to cover more neuroscience on the show? Let your voice be counted by emailing [email protected])! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)