Essentials: The Biology of Taste Perception & Sugar Craving | Dr. Charles Zuker
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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Charles Zuker, PhD, a professor of biochemistry, molecular biophysics and neuroscience at Columbia University and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).
We explore taste perception and how the brain transforms chemical signals from food into distinct taste experiences. We discuss how these taste signals shape both conscious choices and unconscious behavior, as well as how food preferences can change over time. Additionally, we discuss gut–brain signaling and explain why sugar is especially powerful at driving cravings.
Articles
- The Receptors for Mammalian Sweet and Umami Taste (Cell)
- The Gut-Brain Axis Mediates Sugar Preference (Nature)
People Mentioned
- Ivan Pavlov: neurologist, physiologist
This transcript is currently under human review and may contain errors. The fully reviewed version will be posted as soon as it is available.
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Dr. Charles Zuker: The Biology of Taste Perception & Sugar Craving
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