Is it possible to get rid of a sweet tooth

asks J Arnold:
A. Probably not. New research shows that a predilection for puddings may be inherited. US scientists have found a gene which is responsible for the ability to taste sweet foods.

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Q. Why would we have that
A. It makes evolutionary sense that we would be able to differentiate between bitter, poisonous or unripe plants and go for nutrient-rich, ripe fruit instead. However, this ability has backfired because we now stuff our faces with millions of bars of chocolate and cakes each day.

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Q. So we're not just weak-willed porkers
A. Not entirely. You can blame it on your genes to a certain extent: they make it more difficult to resist a sweet snack.

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Q. Is there any benefit to this discovery
A. Possibly. It could lead to a range of artificial sweeteners which have been specifically designed for different palates. It may also be possible to design drugs that block the action of the sweetness receptors, so reducing the craving for sweet things.

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Q. So what can I do about my sweet tooth
A. Last year, a vanilla-scented patch was hailed as the way to beat chocolate addiction. A study showed that sticking this patch on the back of your hand helps to curb the craving for sweet foods - particularly chocolate.

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Q. How does it work
A. The experts weren't sure, but they think that the smell of vanilla could alter levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin - known as the 'happy hormone' is believed to affect the appetite, and chocolate contains chemicals which are converted into serotonin.

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Q. Will there ever be a cure for a sweet tooth
A. Yes, but it's years away. Japanese scientists found that a hormone called leptin suppresses cravings for sweet foods in mice, but not salty, sour, or bitter substances. However, humans respond differently to leptin so there's some work to be done.
Work will continue because the reward for a pill which stops you eating sweet things would be enormous. At the moment, 13 million Britons are on a diet. A new survey by the Sugar Bureau found that little more than half of those who dieted managed to keep the weight off for more than a year, while nearly one fifth had piled the flab back on within six months. Sweet things are just too tempting..

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By Sheena Miller

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