Bitter taste of Rebaudioside A from Stevia influences release of the gut hormone GLP-1 in human enteroendocrine cell

Rebaudioside A (Reb A), one of the main sweet constituents of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, is 300 times as sweet as sucrose, but also gives a prolonged bitter aftertaste. Intestinal entero-endocrine cells (EECs) release gut hormones related to appetite control, gut motility, and postprandial glucose homeostasis. Lately, it has been shown that Reb A stimulates the secretion of the gut hormone Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in pig intestines and mouse gut organoids. GLP-1 secretion is induced by activation of EEC expressed nutrient sensing G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which respond to fatty acids, sweet-, umami- or bitter-taste compounds. Particularly, Reb A is known to interact with human bitter taste receptors TAS2R4 and TAS2R14.