Research Articles on Appetite Regulation

The following articles provide detailed examination of specific neurobiological mechanisms underlying sugar craving and appetite regulation. Each article draws on peer-reviewed research and explores the evidence surrounding particular aspects of these complex systems.

Understanding these mechanisms contributes to broader knowledge about human neurobiology, behaviour, and the interaction between physiology and environment.

Educational Purpose: These materials are informational only and do not constitute medical, nutritional, or personal advice. Individual responses to appetite and food stimuli vary widely. Consult qualified professionals regarding personal health matters.

Detailed Research Articles

Dopamine and Opioid Systems in Sweet Taste Reward

Explore the neurochemical pathways underlying reward responses to sweet taste, including the role of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and the involvement of endogenous opioid systems in creating pleasure responses to sweet-tasting foods.

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Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Dynamics in Craving Cycles

Examine the metabolic responses following consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates, including rapid glucose elevation, insulin secretion, and subsequent glucose decline—and how these dynamics influence hunger signals and craving intensity.

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Stress Hormones and Preference for Palatable Foods

Understand how cortisol and other stress hormones shift food preferences toward high-calorie, palatable items, and the neurobiological mechanisms linking chronic stress to intensified cravings for sweet and energy-dense foods.

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Conditioned Craving Responses to Food Cues

Investigate Pavlovian conditioning principles, cue-reactivity research, and how environmental stimuli become associated with craving responses through learning-related neural adaptations in reward circuits.

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Age-Related Changes in Sweet Taste Perception and Intake

Examine how sweet taste sensitivity and food preferences evolve across the lifespan, including effects of chronic high-sugar intake on taste receptor adaptation and reward system responsiveness.

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Temporal Patterns of Appetite Adjustment After Sugar Reduction

Review longitudinal observations on how craving intensity, taste preferences, and appetite patterns change following periods of reduced sugar intake, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these shifts.

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How to Use These Resources

These articles are organized by topic to allow focused exploration of particular mechanisms. You may:

Read sequentially to build comprehensive understanding of all mechanisms working together
Select specific topics based on particular areas of interest
Reference specific articles when seeking evidence on particular neurobiological pathways

Each article includes research findings, neurobiological explanations, and context for understanding how individual mechanisms contribute to overall craving and appetite regulation.