The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a "sweet tooth gene" that could be caused by genetic variation. Not only that however, people with this particular gene disposition leads to overall less body fat. This newfound information seems contradictory to what we as people know today, but this research not only surprises the majority of the public and baffles researchers themselves, but could lead to further research in developing drugs for obesity and diabetes in preventative measures or to lower risks. As what we hear most of our lives, from weight loss programs, advertisements, and our own health care providers, sugar is one of the leading causes to weight gain and developing stages of diabetes. However, in this new finding, the information gathered challenges that preconception. The "sweet tooth gene," scientifically called the FGF21 gene, is known to be the reason we have that craving for something sweet and sugary, and many times that sensation we feel in our mouths was always considered to be a bad thing. But now, researchers have found a specific gene for that sensation, and how it connects to overall body fat. Even though the difference between someone with the FGF21 gene and someone who does not possess it is very small regarding body fat, this is still a scientific breakthrough, because it supplies more information to the growing problem in society that is obesity and development of diabetes.
For more information on this article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180411111013.htm
For more information on the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and their other research projects: http://healthsciences.ku.dk/