Mouth-watering meal anticipation may be a factor in diabetes risk, say U. S. researchers.

It was investigated by the researchers at Duke University in Durham, N. C. that the genetics behind type 2 diabetes and the mechanism of the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers salivation and insulin production in those smelling or looking forward to a meal.

Medical investigator Vann Bennett said in a statement, "We think this parasympathetic response is potentially important in type 2 Diabetes. Our study showed there is a novel mutation in the gene encoding ankyrin-B, which increases the risk of type 2 Diabetes. This happens through an impairment of the insulin secretion that is added by the parasympathetic nervous system."

In the study, published in Science Signaling, the researchers looked at 524 people with diabetes and 498 non-diabetic controls and found one of the three mutations of ankyrin-B associated with type 2 Diabetes, in about 1 percent of Caucasian and Hispanic individuals.

The small fraction found implies a large reservoir of genes linked to type 2 Diabetes has yet to be identified, Bennett further added. (With Inputs from Agencies)