Glucose levels are associated with mood, but the association is mediated by ratings of metabolic state

作者：Kristin Kaduk, Marie Kaeber, Anne Kühnel, María Berjano Torrado, Melina Grahlow, Birgit Derntl, Nils B. Kroemer · 发表于：EBioMedicine · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.106035 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Diabetes Management and Education、Sleep and related disorders、Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

BACKGROUND: Hunger is commonly linked to negative mood, and mood shifts are believed to arise from sensing the body's internal state. However, it remains unclear whether this link is driven by subconscious effects of circulating glucose levels or by consciously sensed metabolic states. Here, we test whether glucose levels directly influence mood or indirectly via subjective ratings of metabolic state. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, 90 healthy adults (female = 46; male = 44) were continuously monitored throughout the day using interstitial glucose sensors for four weeks while completing ecological momentary assessments up to twice per day (EMA; M = 48 assessments per participant) to rate mood and perceived metabolic states. FINDINGS: As expected, hungry participants reported lower mood, and metabolic state ratings were associated with glucose levels. Although glucose levels were associated with mood, the metabolic state ratings mediated this association. Individual differences reflecting metabolic health (i.e., BMI and insulin resistance) did not affect the interaction between glucose and metabolic state ratings on mood. Notably, individuals with higher interoceptive accuracy had fewer fluctuations in mood ratings. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that hunger-related mood shifts depend on conscious sensing of the body's internal state instead of acting subconsciously. Our study highlights the relevance of considering the self-report of bodily signals in understanding ...