A newly published study reveals the important role gut microbiota plays in regulating sugar preference. Researchers discovered the bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus influenced cravings through a metabolic pathway involving free fatty acid receptor 4 (Ffar4). Nutrition Insight speaks with a microbiome expert to discuss the importance of this finding. Published in Nature Microbiology, the study found diabetic patients and mice have lower levels of Ffar4 expression and B. vulgatus. These factors were linked to increased sugar preference.
