Why you love bacon and 5 other questions about food and the body answered

[Northerner]

We have all felt the pang of hunger - but how many of us know what causes it or why are we more tempted by some foods than others?

Here we answer some questions about bodily functions which we deal with every day, but barely give a second thought to.

Why do we become hungry?
Hunger is one of the body’s most basic and fundamental sensations, and it originates in the stomach. When the stomach is empty, it begins to produce a hormone known as ghrelin. This then travels to a region of the brain known as the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining a constant, optimum state; keeping the body at a set temperature, regulating hormones and monitoring hydration. The arrival of ghrelin is a signal that energy levels might be about to dip, so it triggers the production of a second hormone, neuropeptide Y. This hormone promotes eating.

The cue to stop eating is much more subtle. The stomach has stretch receptors, and will signal to the brain that it is full.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...bout-food-and-the-body-answered-a6776881.html

Interesting 🙂

 

[Cofito]

I was told when doing my degree that the body feels full once you have become bored of the food you are eating.

That normally you can eat for another half an hour when being full.

That is why large menus have varied courses with different flavours to change the taste sensation in your mouth.

My wife is greek so may explain why when we eat lots of greek food as there are lots of different foods we tend to eat for a long time 🙂