Dr. Charles Zuker: The Biology of Taste Perception & Sugar Craving | Huberman Lab Podcast #81
My guest this episode is Dr. Charles Zuker, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Neuroscience at Columbia University and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Zuker is the world’s leading expert in the biology of taste, thirst and craving. His laboratory explores the mechanisms of taste perception, focusing on how our conscious and unconscious processing of specific foods and nutrients guide our actions and behaviors. We discuss the neural circuits of taste, the “gut-brain axis,” the basis of food cravings and the key difference between wanting (craving) and liking (perceiving) sugar. We also explore how taste perception relates to specific food satiety, thirst, to our emotions, and expectation. We also consider how sugar containing and highly-processed foods can hijack the natural balance of the taste and digestive systems. Dr. Zuker provides a true masterclass in the biology of taste and perception that ought to be of interest to anyone curious about how the brain works, our motivated behaviors and the neural, chemical perceptual aspects of the mind.
#HubermanLab #Sugar #Taste
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Charles Zuker & Taste Perception
00:03:05 Momentous Supplements
00:04:35 Thesis, ROKA, Helix Sleep
00:08:35 Sensory Detection vs. Sensory Perception
00:11:48 Individual Variations within Perception, Color
00:16:20 Perceptions & Behaviors
00:20:19 The 5 Taste Modalities
00:26:18 Aversive Taste, Bitter Taste
00:28:00 Survival-Based & Evolutionary Reasons for Taste Modalities, Taste vs. Flavor
00:30:14 Additional Taste Modalities: Fat & Metallic Perception
00:34:02 Tongue “Taste Map,” Taste Buds & Taste Receptors
00:39:34 Burning Your Tongue & Perception
00:42:54 The “Meaning” of Taste Stimuli, Sweet vs. Bitter, Valence
00:51:55 Positive vs. Negative Neuronal Activation & Behavior
00:56:16 Acquired Tastes, Conditioned Taste Aversion
01:01:44 Olfaction (Smell) vs. Taste, Changing Tastes over One’s Lifetime
01:09:14 Integration of Odor & Taste, Influence on Behavior & Emotion
01:17:26 Sensitization to Taste, Internal State Modulation, Salt
01:24:05 Taste & Saliva: The Absence of Taste
01:28:10 Sugar & Reward Pleasure Centers; Gut-Brain Axis, Anticipatory Response
01:36:23 Vagus Nerve
01:43:09 Insatiable Sugar Appetite, Liking vs. Wanting, Gut-Brain Axis
01:52:03 Tool: Sugar vs. Artificial Sweeteners, Curbing Appetite
01:54:06 Cravings & Gut-Brain Axis
01:57:30 Nutrition, Gut-Brain Axis & Changes in Behavior
02:01:53 Fast vs. Slow Signaling & Reinforcement, Highly Processed Foods
02:10:38 Favorite Foods: Enjoyment, Sensation & Context
02:15:58 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter
The Huberman Lab Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac –
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43 Comments
Rafael Rodriguez
Incredible wealth of knowledge here. Thank you as always for sharing. Did I miss the section where Dr Zuker talks about strategies to curve the craving for sugar?
Monique
I want to say this is my favorite but then I realize I've felt this way a number of times already! ? I could listen to Charles Zuker talk for hours! What a jam-packed interview.
Stef Diaz Diaz
Zuker is almost sugar in some language
Nicholas Bordalo
Hi Dr Huberman
Thank you for all the information you have provided via your videos, this information is very informative and much appreciated.
Do you perhaps have information with regards to nerve damage and nerve disorders? How to treat them, what's the best medications or treatments for them? Nerves are very interesting would love to know what your take is on them. Thank you.
נהנה.
Of course his name is zuker
Stef Diaz Diaz
Biter stuff is usually poisonous, most humans cover the horrible taste with sugar and then are able to chronically consume toxic stuff, then they don't understand when they get sick
Yaser SAS
Very beautiful episode, listened to it twice already.
bardh abazi
I'd love to hear you and Julien Pineau from strongfit to talk about muscle strength, emotions, and the brain – and related topics of course.
Georgi Ivanov
Hello, I really enjoyed the episode and specifically the circuit of wanting vs liking sugar. I was wondering what are some practical examples we can introduce to reduce cravings for sweets (sugar and sweeteners) so we become more in tune with the "wanting" (i.e. the nutritional value)? As a follow up I wonder if there is a way to disassociate from the feel good circuit triggered by detecting sweetness and the soothing effect it has when we are stressed, bored, anxious etc…?
Thank you very much!
sonder
“What’s your favorite food”
goes on talking about everything besides what food he likes
Dominus Styx
…on another note; to watch a neuroscientist, Andrew Huberman, that looks like gladiator it's a big plus, from my point of view.??
Obadiah Rouse
Great podcast. I really enjoyed the way you both were able to explain the mechanisms behind these cravings.
On a different note, have you done a podcast taking a deep dive on hydration? I've heard it touched on by you and a guest in the past. I would like to hear something specifically about hydration and mechanisms on how to stay hydrated during prolonged heat exposure and strenuous work.
Madina Suleiman
Hello! Thank you for this opportunity to learn science! I’ve watched all episodes and I’m waiting for every new one. I would like to ask you to make a lesson about smell.
Jesus Osuna
I love how Dr. Zuker uses the word decode to solve questions that have to do with brain, behavior, and perceptions. Great knowledge being share by a great scholar and an even better researcher. Amazing!
Jason Kim
Not sure I agree with his explanation of why we learn to enjoy bitter tastes. How does this account for learning to enjoy bitter foods that have no effect, like the example of tonic water that he himself gave?
Joseph Corrigan
Dude! I'm so glad I found you. I've been subscribed for many months and also follow you on Instagram. As a diabetic man with a deadly addiction to sugar I listened intently to this podcast for the definitive way to eliminate sugar (not glucose) from my life. Alas, I either missed that part of the discussion or it wasn't there. Any ideas/protocols to help me. Thank you for all your hard work. Cheers!
Yerko Lolas
Amazing conversation , great speaker from my country Chile ??
Simoli Ska
Not sure if there is much use saying, great listening, again haha since I'm here and have lapped up another podcast, and I wouldn't be here if I didn't think you and you guests were great. Thank you for the free lectures. But sort of to the side of this issue. Reading a book and listening to a book obviously enters the brain in different ways. Is there a difference in benefits of reading a book and listening to it, in a neuroscientific sense. Just wondering. Thanx Simon
Daniel R
?❤️
Roberto Battiston
Dr Huberman, would you consider doing heartburn as a topic?
Heather Cuthbertson
Is it possible to do a lecture of parosmia? A phenonmenon before covid now a common disorder. I have lost a ton weight and also dont want to gain it back…. about a year in of having moderate parosmia.
DanEshed
Fascinating talk. I'm ever in awe of Dr. Huberman that is able put himself in a position of learning new things, while he is already an accomplished scholar. Such a growth mindset is rare to find and to cultivate. I hope that there will be an episode regarding the neurology of meditation. I had more than several thoughts and associations in the part of the talk about the vagus nerve and neurology of taste and craving; I'm sure the Dr. Huberman and his team could put together an amazing and important episode that connects mindfulness protocols to the physiology and neurology in myriad of ways. Many thanks!
epicbehavior
12:30 You can never prove that my red is your red.
MPDWA
2:13:15 One step outside his field of expertise and he regurgitates that stupid "red meat is bad for you" mantra. Very unsocratic.
MPDWA
2:08:28 There you have Huberman revealing he misses the first clue about thermodynamics. Energy conservation does NOT apply to OPEN systems. So CICO ain't a 'real thing' but a figment.
First Last
Dear Andrew, it's really fascinating that to listen your podcast which is really science based and with well-known experts. I have question for you. I am pregnant with 28 week which is third trimester. I found out some article that having Colin supplement in 3rd trimester affects brain for control emotions and regulate brain issues. Could you please get me scientific facts. That would be helpful ?thank-you
John The Conquerer
"What are some examples of Umami foods?"
"Seaweed"
pass
"Tomatoes"
also pass
"Cheese"
looks down at the half eaten block
Darren Meachem
Wow. Amazing chat. Have listened a few times , 1 st time i found you. These are so good. Will share around.
Agnieszka Molyn
Damn that voice … not to mention content , amazing podcast ?
Fab Ian
Phenomenal level of science/evidence. Got recommended another channel that turned out to be based on alternative medicine and immediately stopped watching/unsubscribed and returned to this channel again. Thanks for improving my scientific literacy?
Money moneyfishing
If only these gentlemen were celebrated as much as the latest pop stars….
semysweetsports
Such a great episode! And what an amazing guest. Thanks for introducing us to so many interesting people with your podcast.
Rick Rude
I went running. I followed Mr. Huberman's advice. I told myself that the effort that I was putting out was the reward and that it felt great. Suddenly, my mind stepped in and called bullshit on that. His advice might actually work, if someone has a gullible mind. Andrew Huberman is the David Asprey of our times.
Edwig Carol
? warning… Do not stop at a confectioner's shop ! Walk straight away! Simply looking at a cake might well make you put weight on… Why? Pavlov's conditioning. You might release insuline, preventing you from burning energy..
Emerson M
I could hear this guy talk for hours he has a voice of some Disney narrator guy
Adele Rezai
Informative and engaging. Thank you, Dr. Huberman
Daniel Plainview
Isn’t the name Zuker derived from the same root as the Spanish work for ‘sugar’?
Ms. Pisces
1:35:06 I believe this too
Sleep Horizon
Here is an interesting idea for a new episode what happens to taste when you ingest THC/CBD
Bahodir Annaev
It's very symbolic that guest's name mean sugar
Leticia Chacón
Thank you very much for this podcast, Dr Zuker has the ability to share his immense knowledge and experience in simple concepts and words that we can all understand. Thank you for inviting him to your podcast, I have learned lots and enjoyed even more.
shirley ross
Absolutely amazing podcast! Thank you so much.
Syeda Arooba Rizvi
How can we cure Parosmia?