Were you born with a sweet tooth?

Healthy living

Diet and weight loss

Were you born with a sweet tooth?

If you find it impossible to resist a bag of toffees or a sugary dessert, your genes could be to blame

Scientists in Canada have discovered that people with a variant of one particular gene consistently eat more sugary foods. It could explain why some people crave sweet foods while others can resist without too much effort. The findings may also help pinpoint those people more susceptible to conditions such as type-2 diabetes.

The research, published online in the journal Physiological Genomics, looked at a specific gene called glucose transporter type 2 – or, appropriately enough, GLUT 2 – which is responsible for controlling the entry of sugar into the cells. The gene is thought to have an important role in sensing sugar levels in the body, helping the brain regulate food intake. The research is the first to look at how a specific variation of the GLUT 2 gene might influence people's food choices.

Researchers tested the impact of the GLUT 2 variation by looking at the diets of two distinct groups of volunteers. Those in the first group were aged between 42 and 75 and were all classified as either overweight or obese. The second group were university students aged 20 to 29 who were all a healthy weight.

Those in the first group were asked to keep food diaries for three days, recording all food and drinks they consumed. A repeat food diary was requested two weeks later. In the second group, students were asked to fill in a food frequency questionnaire where they ticked off the foods they had eaten in the last month.

Blood samples were then taken from all participants for scientists to identify which individuals had the GLUT 2 variant. The researchers then compared the genetic results against the food intake reports. In both groups, those that had the variation were found to consume significantly more sugar in all its forms: sucrose (refined table sugar), fructose (simple sugars such as corn syrup or the sugars found in fruit) and glucose (the sugars found in carbohydrates), regardless of age or sex.

Those with the variant in the younger set were found to drink more sugary beverages, such as cola or sweetened juices, and eat more sweets than their counterparts without the variant. The findings show that the genetic variant is associated with a high-sugar diet and suggests it could play an important role in regulating sugar intake.

Dr Victoria King, Research Manager for Diabetes UK, said: 'Consuming sugary foods in excess can lead to obesity and there is a direct link between being overweight and type 2 diabetes. In this light, this genetic research could prove interesting and we look forward to any further studies.'

However, Dr King advised caution in expecting such research to enable doctors to catch diabetes early, 'This research is probably not that useful in helping to identify people who are at risk from diabetes as the condition is not caused by excessive sugar intake.'

Tips to curb your sugar cravings

Look for low-calorie alternatives to your favourite sweet snacks, such as low-calorie hot chocolate or jelly.
Eat plenty of wholegrain foods as these will leave you feel fuller for longer and prevent cravings for snacks in between meals.
Opt for low GI foods - foods that release their sugars slowly and help stabilise blood sugar levels.
Sugar cravings can be a sign your blood sugar levels have taken a dive. Eat little and often to keep your energy levels up.
If you do eat something sweet, try to have it immediately after a main meal when it will have less impact on your blood sugar levels.

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Diabetes UK

Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.