Scientists find hormone that controls sugar, alcohol cravings ?

Still desperate for another candy bar or cocktail, but don’t know why? Never fear - US scientists have found a liver hormone that could curb our sugar and alcohol cravings, and help those suffering from diabetes or obesity.

Two independent research groups have found a hormone produced by the liver (fibroblast growth factor 21, or FGF21) that suppresses the desire to consume simple sugars, the studies published in Cell Metabolism suggest.

The hormone is produced if the level of carbohydrates is high, in which case it enters the bloodstream and sends a signal to the brain to curb the craving.

The findings are unprecedented, researchers say. Earlier, only appetite-controlling hormones were known.

"This is the first liver-derived hormone we know that regulates sugar intake specifically," said Matthew Potthoff, assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Iowa, and co-senior author of one of the papers.

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