Gut microbes could be quietly steering what you crave
New evidence suggests gut bacteria may influence what we crave. In mice, transferring different microbiomes altered protein vs. carbohydrate preferences, likely via serotonin production linked to tryptophan levels. A 2025 Nature Microbiology study also ties a gut bacterium to reduced sugar cravings through a GLP-1 pathway. Experts caution that human eating is shaped by culture and other factors, so more research is needed to confirm similar effects in people.
