A new study suggests that our genetic makeup may influence how much we crave and consume sugary foods, particularly those rich in sucrose, commonly known as table sugar.
An international team of researchers has identified a genetic variation in the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) gene, which is responsible for breaking down sucrose and maltose into simple sugars that can be absorbed by the body. Mutations in this gene may make it harder for people to digest these sugars, affecting their preference and consumption of sweet foods.
Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition affecting 10-15% of adults in the U.S., tend to have more defective versions of the SI gene. IBS is characterized by symptoms like cramping, bloating, and digestive irregularities, such as diarrhea or constipation.
The study team first examined mice that lacked the SI gene. These mice showed a marked decrease in both their sucrose consumption and preference for it. Researchers then tested the theory on human populations in Greenland and the United Kingdom.
In Greenland, participants who couldn’t digest sucrose at all consumed significantly fewer sugar-rich foods. Similarly, people in the UK with a partially functioning SI gene showed less preference for sugary foods. The findings were published Tuesday in Gastroenterology.
Lead researcher Peter Aldiss from the University of Nottingham noted, “These findings suggest that genetic differences in our ability to digest sucrose can influence our intake and preference for sugary foods. This opens the possibility of targeting the SI gene to help reduce sucrose consumption on a larger scale.”
Aldiss hopes that understanding this genetic factor could help reduce sugar consumption globally, as excessive sugar intake is linked to numerous health issues, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease.
Dr. Rifka C. Schulman-Rosenbaum, an expert in diabetes care, emphasized the health risks associated with high sugar consumption. “Diabetes and obesity are heavily impacted by the overconsumption of sugar-laden foods,” she explained. “Understanding how to reduce sugar cravings could be an important step in reducing the burden of these diseases.”
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 9 teaspoons per day for men and 6 teaspoons per day for women. However, a recent survey revealed that the average American consumes about 99 grams of sugar daily, which amounts to 80 pounds per year.
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