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FGF21-inducing rare sugars for addressing obesity and alcoholism
1Laboratory of Nutrition Chemistry, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Japan.
Journal of Biochemistry
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Rare sugars like D-allulose and D-tagatose boost FGF21, reducing cravings for sugar and alcohol. These functional foods may help prevent obesity and alcoholism by improving eating behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic science
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Obesity and alcoholism are significant global health issues linked to poor eating habits.
- Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a role in regulating sugar and alcohol intake.
- Oxytocin (OXT) neurons in the hypothalamus are activated by FGF21, suppressing appetite for sugar and alcohol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of rare sugars, specifically D-allulose and D-tagatose, as functional foods to manage ingestive behaviors.
- To determine if these rare sugars can reduce the preference for sugar and alcohol and prevent obesity and alcohol dependence.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of D-allulose and D-tagatose to mice.
- Measurement of plasma FGF21 levels.
- Assessment of preference for sugar and alcohol.
- Evaluation of the development of diet-induced obesity and alcohol dependence.
- Analysis of the mechanistic pathways involving ATF4 and the FGF21-PVHOXT feedback system.
Main Results:
- Oral D-allulose and D-tagatose significantly increased plasma FGF21 levels.
- These rare sugars reduced the preference for simple sugars and alcohol without affecting palatability.
- Administration of these sugars prevented diet-induced obesity and alcohol dependence in mice.
- The effects were mediated by activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent FGF21 induction and activation of the FGF21-PVHOXT negative feedback loop.
Conclusions:
- D-allulose and D-tagatose are potent inducers of FGF21.
- These rare sugars show promise as functional foods to curb overeating and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Rare sugars may serve as a novel strategy for preventing obesity and alcoholism by modulating ingestive behaviors.
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