Mikki dives into the complex and controversial topic of sucralose—one of the most common non-nutritive sweeteners—and whether it interferes with hunger and satiety signalling in the brain. Prompted by a new study published in Nature, Mikki explores how sucralose might increase activity in brain regions associated with hunger and reward, particularly in women and individuals with obesity or insulin resistance. She unpacks the mechanisms at play, discusses the relevance of acute vs long-term data, and weighs these findings against the broader scientific literature on artificial sweeteners. If you've ever wondered whether your sweet tooth could be tricking your brain, this episode is for you.

Highlights:

New brain imaging study shows sucralose increases hypothalamic activity linked to hunger
Differences in appetite response between individuals with healthy weight vs. obesity
Potential long-term impacts of sucralose on gut health and insulin sensitivity
Why context, diet quality, and individual response matter more than blanket rules
How to decide if sucralose supports or hinders your own health goals

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-025-01227-8
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7817779/#s4
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39015535/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7155288/

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Mini Mikkipedia - Does Sucralose Hijack Your Brain?