Mini Mikkipedia - Does Sucralose Hijack Your Brain?

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 hungerDifferences in appetite response between individuals with healthy weight vs. obesityPotential long-term impacts of sucralose on gut health and insulin sensitivityWhy context, diet quality, and individual response matter more than blanket rulesHow 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/ Contact Mikki: https://mikkiwilliden.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutrition https://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/ https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.com Curranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order