Flavor Compounds Regulate Appetite: Oral-Gut Axis and Molecular Mechanisms

Flavor compounds are pivotal regulators of appetite and eating behavior, yet their underlying physiological mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized. This review elucidates how flavor molecules traverse the oral-gut axis to orchestrate appetite control through coordinated multi-organ networks. Flavor compounds first activate oral taste and olfactory receptors, initiating cephalic phase responses and anticipatory digestion. Upon entering the gastrointestinal tract, they function as biological signals modulating enzyme secretion and central appetite centers via vagal pathways and enteroendocrine hormonal feedback. By integrating sensory science with receptor-mediated mechanisms, this review establishes a theoretical framework for flavor-nutrient interactions and proposes practical dietary strategies to manage food intake and reshape ingestive behavior.