All articles tagged with #appetite
A seven-day Sleep reset called SLEEP combines meal timing, light exposure, and a structured nighttime routine to improve sleep quality, regulate hormones, reduce evening cravings, and support weight loss, with participants in a test panel reporting faster onset of sleep, steadier blood sugar, and early weight loss in a monitored program; NIH-backed research links adequate sleep to appetite control and obesity risk.
In a small, four‑week, calorie‑matched study, adults with overweight or obesity who replaced typical snacks with 42.5 g of almonds showed a rise in beneficial gut bacteria linked to butyrate, lower inflammatory markers, and higher satiety hormones (GLP‑1 and PYY). The almond diet also produced a mild ketosis‑like metabolic signal. However, the study’s small size (n=15) and focus on calorie balance mean results should be interpreted cautiously; almonds remain energy‑dense, so this is about snack quality, not unlimited consumption.
A March 2026 Appetite study using EEG found that even after eating to fullness, the brain still responds to snack cues (chips, chocolate, popcorn), suggesting snacking can be automatic and not just due to hunger. Experts say environment, food advertising, and personal habits shape urges; breaking the cycle involves recognizing cues, creating friction, eating regular balanced meals, and making healthy snacks accessible. Snacking can be healthy if chosen wisely, but junk-food cues and boredom often drive overeating.
A fitness coach attributes dramatic improvements in digestion to 28 days of psyllium husk, noting initial fatigue from low water intake but smoother digestion, fuller stools, and reduced cravings after increasing hydration; experts say psyllium can ease constipation and diarrhea, support gut health and even lower LDL cholesterol, while warning to hydrate well and consult a doctor before use.
A study published in Physiology & Behavior with 12 cats found that the scent of food strongly influences feline appetite. Repeated exposure to the same odor reduced intake, but introducing a new scent revived interest in food, indicating olfactory cues drive feeding via habituation and dishabituation. The findings could help stimulate eating in cats with health issues by using scent to boost appetite.
THC activates CB1 receptors in brain regions tied to hunger and reward, amplifying the drive to eat by mimicking endocannabinoids and creating a heightened sense of hunger; individual responses vary with dose, tolerance, and how the cannabis is consumed.
GLP-1 drugs (used for diabetes and obesity) reveal that hunger is a fluctuating biological signal governed by gut hormones and digestion, not willpower alone. By prolonging the post‑meal satiety state and slowing gastric emptying, these medications can achieve about 5–8% weight loss, though effects often fade after stopping and weight can be regained. Appetite regulation emerges from a gut–brain axis involving hormones like GLP‑1 and ghrelin, influenced by activity, nutrition, circadian rhythms, and the food environment. The broader implications include shifts in how obesity is understood, as well as ongoing questions about long‑term use, access, and nutrition management alongside treatment.
Chilling cooked starches like rice and potatoes can convert some starch into resistant starch, which may blunt blood sugar spikes and reduce cravings, potentially aiding weight loss; more research is needed, but practical tips include cooling carb-rich leftovers or serving cooled versions.
A British biotech company has developed a cannabis-inspired drug, ART27.13, that helps cancer patients gain weight and improve activity levels by enhancing appetite without causing a high, showing promising results in phase two trials and potential for future approval and use.
Scientists are researching ways to counteract cachexia, a wasting condition in cancer patients, by targeting biological pathways like interleukin-6, aiming to improve quality of life and survival rates, and develop an 'anti-Ozempic' approach to boost appetite and resilience in patients.
Cravings and appetite changes are not reliable indicators of cancer, despite popular stories; they can be caused by various factors, and only specific signs like ice chewing linked to iron deficiency should prompt medical testing. For cancer detection, rely on established symptoms and screening rather than single food cravings.
ADHD medications can impact children's appetites, leading to potential nutritional concerns. Parents and caregivers can manage these effects by monitoring dietary intake, ensuring balanced meals, and consulting healthcare professionals for personalized strategies. It's important to address these side effects to maintain children's overall health and well-being while managing ADHD symptoms.
Scientists have discovered a new type of neuron, BNC2, that rapidly inhibits hunger signals in the brain, offering a fast-acting mechanism for satiety. This finding, published in Nature, could lead to new treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders by expanding the understanding of appetite regulation and providing new therapeutic targets. BNC2 neurons, activated by leptin, quickly suppress appetite and alleviate hunger-related negative feelings, potentially redefining how feeding is regulated.
A study by the University of Virginia suggests that high-intensity workouts are more effective at suppressing appetite than moderate exercise, due to their impact on reducing ghrelin hormone levels. The research, involving 14 participants, found that vigorous exercise led to lower hunger levels, particularly in women. The study highlights the complex relationship between exercise and appetite, suggesting that workouts above the lactate threshold may be necessary for appetite suppression, which could aid in weight loss programs. The findings are published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
A study published in Nature reveals that appetite in mice is controlled by a simple brain circuit involving three types of neurons. These neurons detect hunger-signaling hormones, regulate jaw movement for chewing, and may operate reflexively, similar to a reflex action. The research suggests that if a similar circuit exists in humans, it could reshape our understanding of obesity, emphasizing physiological over personal decision factors. The study also links these findings to existing theories on hunger and body weight regulation.