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Cited by 255Biochemical Analysis and Sensing TechniquesRegulation of Appetite and ObesityDiet, Metabolism, and Disease

Carbohydrate taste, appetite, and obesity: An overview

Sclafani, Anthony·1987·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
DOI 10.1016/s0149-7634(87)80019-2
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Abstract

This paper reviews previous research on sugar appetite and sugar-induced overeating and obesity in the rat, and previews new findings reported in this issue on the rat's taste and appetite for starch and starch-derived polysaccharides. A variety of behavioral methods demonstrate that rats are very attracted to the taste of sugars. At low molar concentrations their order of preference is maltose greater than sucrose greater than glucose = fructose, while at high concentrations it is sucrose greater than maltose greater than glucose = fructose. New findings indicate that rats are also very attracted to starch-derived polysaccharides, such as Polycose. In fact, Polycose is preferred to sucrose and maltose at low concentrations, and is second only to sucrose in preference at high concentrations. Furthermore, rats taste Polycose as qualitatively different from sucrose. These and other findings suggest that rats as well as other rodents have different taste receptors for sugar and starch. The role of these two taste systems in carbohydrate-induced overeating and obesity is discussed. Rats tend to overeat and become obese when fed sugar or polysaccharide diets, but this response depends critically on the form of the diet. Presenting the carbohydrate as a solution or gel supplement to the diet is much more effective in promoting hyperphagia and obesity than is presenting it as a powder supplement or as part of a composite diet. The differential response to hydrated and dehydrated foods may occur because carbohydrates are absorbed at a faster rate in hydrated forms than in dehydrated forms. The postingestive actions of carbohydrates also modulate the rat's preference for carbohydrate tastes and flavors. Other factors that influence carbohydrate appetite and intake include the availability of the carbohydrate source and the macronutrient composition of the diet. Thus, several factors in addition to taste determine the response of rats to carbohydrate foods.

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  • Unlimited access to palatable food leads to hedonic overeating and eventually obesity (the gluttony hypothesis).

    “One fundamental premise here is that unlimited access to palatable food leads to hedonic overeating and eventually obesity, called the gluttony hypothesis for simplicity.”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [152]

  • Numerous animal studies demonstrate increased intake of palatable foods and development of diet-induced obesity.

    “This hypothesis is supported by numerous studies in animals demonstrating increased intake of palatable foods and development of obesity, so called diet-induced obesity”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [152]

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Authors
Sclafani, A.
Affiliations
City University of New York (US)
Corresponding author
Sclafani, Anthony
ORCID
Sclafani, Anthony
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1987-06
Volume
11
Issue
2
Pages
131-153
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0149-7634(87)80019-2
OpenAlex
W1995303077
Cited by
255
References
202
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 6
FWCI
17.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK-31135)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
Keywords
obesity, Polycose, sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose, taste receptors, hyperphagia, macronutrient composition, food availability
MeSH terms
Animals, Appetite, Carbohydrate Conformation, Dietary Carbohydrates, Feeding Behavior, Female, Glucose, Humans, Hyperphagia, Male, Obesity, Sex Factors, Sucrose, Taste, Taste Threshold, Rats

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