What is Hunger?

The vernacular has a “bear hunger” and advertising speaks of the “little hunger in between”. But what exactly is hunger? It occurs when the body’s energy stores are empty, that is, after we have not eaten or exercised for a long time. Hunger is the desire for food and energy. Most people feel it in the stomach area, but lack of concentration, headaches or nausea can also be signs.

Purely a matter of the head: hunger originates in the brain

The central switching point for hunger is the brain, or more precisely the diencephalon (the hypothalamus). This is where all messages concerning the body’s energy state converge. Thus, it measures energy reserves and simultaneously regulates hunger and fullness.

If the signals from the diencephalon are ignored for a long time, ravenous hunger develops. In a binge, food is “thrown in” indiscriminately.

However, many people no longer feel hungry due to repeated dieting and frequent snacking. Appetite, on the other hand, serves the pleasant side of eating – enjoyment. Appetite awakens the desire for a certain food, even if one is actually already full.

How the body regulates hunger and appetite during a meal is a complicated process. Before and at the beginning of the meal, the appearance, smell and taste of a food determine what and how much we eat. Receptors in the stomach and intestinal walls send out information about their filling state and the nutrients in the food. The brain then reduces appetite and the size of the meal is regulated. After the nutrients pass from the intestines to the body and liver, their receptors respond to the various breakdown products and influence satiety.

Conclusion

Now, how long we are full is related to the composition of the food. Carbohydrates saturate quickly, fats and proteins, however, long lasting.
(aid)