News Fresh Today: New Molecular Mechanism to Explain Why Stress Drives Some People to Eat More Sugary Foods

New research from the Monell Center, reveals receptors for stress-activated hormones have been localized in oral taste cells responsible for detection of sweet, umami, and bitter taste. The findings suggest that these hormones, known as glucocorticoids, may act directly on taste receptor cells under stressful conditions to affect how these cells respond to sugars and certain other taste stimuli. "Sweet taste may be particularly affected by stress," said lead author ...