“Researchers have uncovered new insights into how the brain controls eating behavior, which could have significant implications for tackling obesity. Their study, published in Nature Metabolism, shows that certain neurons in the brains of mice can either promote eating due to hunger or suppress eating for pleasure, depending on the circumstances. These findings offer a deeper understanding of how different types of eating are regulated in the brain and could lead to new treatments for obesity.
The motivation behind this study stems from the need to understand the dual nature of eating: eating out of necessity (because of hunger) and eating for pleasure (often linked to the consumption of calorie-dense, sugary, or fatty foods). While hunger-driven eating is essential for survival, pleasure-driven eating is often associated with overeating and the development of obesity, along with related metabolic disorders.”