Sweet Sensing in Type 2 Diabetes

Inclusion Criteria: * General Eligibility Criteria * For T2D: Confirmed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (HbA1c\>48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and managed by the anti-diabetic drug metformin alone diagnosed within the last 10 years * For Prediabetes: HbA1c 42-48 mmol/mol and no less than 3 years since diagnosis * Non-diabetes who had HbA1c screened at their GP in the last 12 months: HbA1c≤42mmol/mol Phase 1 Inclusion criteria: Adults aged between 18 -60 years with type 2 diabetes or healthy individuals who had HbA1c checked within the last 12 months. Healthy volunteers who did not have HbA1c screened at their GP will be offered an opportunistic screening blood test. Phase 2 and 3: Inclusion criteria: right-handed adults between 18- 60 years with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes and healthy individuals who had HbA1c checked within the last 12 months. Healthy volunteers who did not have HbA1c screened at their GP will be offered an opportunistic screening blood test. Exclusion Criteria: * Phase 1 exclusion criteria 1. Current pregnancy or breastfeeding 2. Current treatment with insulin or any other diabetic medications apart from metformin 3. History of neurological, gastrointestinal injury or disease 4. Any medication that is known to alter taste perception 5. Smokers Phase 2 and 3 exclusion criteria 1. individuals with Neurological or gastrointestinal disorders (IBD/ IBS) 2. those who have contraindications to MRI including metal implants 3. those who are unable to lie flat 4. smokers 5. those who have taken part in research projects within the last 3 months (projects involving administering a drug, invasive procedure i.e. venepuncture \>50 ml, endoscopy, or exposure to ionising radiation)