Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
NIH-funded scientists studied how the sugars glucose and fructose affect hunger-controlling brain cells in mice, discovering they use distinct neural pathways. Researchers focused on agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons, which, when active, increase hunger. The study found that glucose decreases AgRP neuron activity more than fructose, suggesting glucose more effectively reduces hunger signals. The research was published in Neuron on June 10, 2026.
The team observed that high-fructose corn syrup, containing both fructose and glucose, suppressed AgRP neuron activity more than fructose alone. While both sugars led to similar reductions in total food consumption, mice preferred liquids sweetened with glucose or high-fructose corn syrup over fructose, indicating that glucose's effects on AgRP neurons may influence food preferences.
Further investigation showed that fructose and glucose activate different cells in the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and brain. Blocking vagus nerve signaling prevented glucose—but not fructose—from suppressing AgRP neuron activity. These findings support previous research suggesting glucose signals travel to the brain via the spinal cord, while fructose uses a different gut-brain pathway.