Gut hormone-based diabetes drugs may also boost weight loss by curbing cravings

Researchers have revealed that a class of gut hormone-based diabetes drugs may also aid weight loss by curbing cravings.

This study provided evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists alter the brain's response to food, possibly reducing cravings and increasing satisfaction while eating.

Previous studies have shown that the brains of obese people have a greater response to pictures of food than those of lean people, and a reduced reward response during the consumption of food, which may lead to overeating.

Researchers in Amsterdam tested the hypothesis that the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide, a medication which mimics the effects of natural GLP-1 by binding to the GLP-1 receptor, was helping patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight by altering the brain's response to food consumption and decreasing appetite.