A constant craving for sweets is never good news. But a recent study by Dr Peter Aldis, head of the team at the University of Nottingham Medical School, says you may have your genetics to blame. The study examined the genetic variations that determine how we digest certain sugars. This can further influence how much we like and consume sugary foods. Read also | Are you craving sugar all the time? A nutritionist shares 5 reasons why this might happen
The gene responsible for our sugar cravings
The research points to the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene, which is responsible for breaking down sucrose and maltose into simple sugars that can be absorbed by the small intestine. However, mutations in the SI gene can affect the way sucrose and maltose are broken down. People with irritable bowel syndrome have more defective SI variants than healthy people. Read also | According to researchers, you will be shocked by how many kilograms of sugar the average person consumes per year
Research results:
The study was conducted on mice without the SI gene. It was observed that these mice quickly changed their preference for sugar and reduced its consumption. The theory was then tested on another 6,000 people in Greenland and almost 135,000 people in the UK.
It was observed that people in Greenland consumed less foods rich in sucrose because they could not digest it. People in the UK with a partially functional SI gene were more likely to eat foods high in sucrose.
In a press release, Dr. Peter Aldis said, “Excess calories from sugar are a known factor in obesity and type 2 diabetes. In the UK we consume 9-12% of our diet from free sugars such as sucrose, with 79% of the population consuming up to three sugary snacks a day. At the same time, genetic defects in sucrose digestion have been linked to irritable bowel syndrome, a common functional disorder affecting up to 10% of the population.” Read also | Eating too much sugar may increase risk of depression: study
Harmful effects of eating too much sugar:
Sugar causes chronic inflammation in the body, which in turn leads to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and cancer. Dr. Rifka S. Shulman-Rosenbaum, director of inpatient diabetes at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, told the New York Post that foods such as soda, juice, processed and fast food, which are high in sugar, are the main causes of diabetes and obesity.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
