How Genes and Environment Shape Sweet Cravings
Official title: Genetic and Environmental Influences on Individual Sweet Preference Across Ancestry Groups in the U.S.
Funded at Brooklyn College · NIH-11134606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how our genes and surroundings influence our desire for sweet foods across different groups of people in the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brooklyn College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150411-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals aged 21 and older from specific ancestry groups in the U.S. with varying levels of added sugar intake may be ideal candidates for this type of research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not interested in understanding their sweet preferences or those outside the targeted ancestry and age groups may not directly benefit from participation.
What this research studies
Many people enjoy sweet foods, but consuming too much sugar can lead to health issues like obesity and related chronic diseases. This project aims to understand why some individuals have a stronger preference for sweetness than others. Researchers will look at both genetic factors and environmental influences in various ancestry groups living in the U.S. The goal is to identify if certain genes are more common in groups with higher sugar intake and how these genes affect their sweet preference.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help create personalized strategies to reduce sugar consumption and improve public health outcomes related to chronic diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genome-wide association studies have identified genetic links to sweet preference within specific populations, but this project aims to broaden that understanding across diverse U.S. ancestry groups.
Where this research is happening
-
Brooklyn College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheung, May Meiyu — Brooklyn College
- Study coordinator: Cheung, May Meiyu
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.