Surprising science behind your post-meal dessert cravings

Image credit: biglaughkitchen via Unsplash

If you’re full but still crave something sweet, science has an explanation. Researchers say a phenomenon called “sensory-specific satiety” causes your appetite for one type of food to decrease while your desire for a different flavor, like sugary dessert, remains strong. This shift helps explain why many people feel satisfied after a meal but suddenly have room for dessert.

Source

Marielle Minère et al.,Thalamic opioids from POMC satiety neurons switch on sugar appetite.Science387,750-758(2025).DOI:10.1126/science.adp1510

Additional Reading

https://www.rd.com/article/why-you-always-have-room-for-dessert/

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/15/nx-s1-5328768/sugar-brain-cravings-dessert

https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-why-you-always-find-room-for-dessert-according-to-science