When temperatures drop, we tend to eat more and therefore consume more calories. Many people notice a noticeable increase in appetite during the winter season. This means we abandon (for a few months) all the light, fresh foods that characterized the summer season, dedicating ourselves to more substantial, warm, and also higher-calorie foods. Increased hunger isn't just a result of dietary choices or lifestyle; it has deep biological and psychological roots. A study conducted at the Scripps Research Institute, a biomedical sciences research center based in La Jolla, California, and published in the journal Nature, explains this.
What Are The Biological Causes of Increased Hunger?
The research was led by Professors Li Ye and Neeraj Lal. The premise is that mammals expend a lot of energy to maintain their body temperature, and when exposed to cold, they must expend even more. Therefore, the increased energy demand prompts the brain to eat more, to have more calories to burn and maintain an acceptable body temperature.
The Veronesi Foundation published an article on the topic, drawing on the expert advice of Simona Bertoli, Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Milan and Director of the Obesity Centers at the IRCSS Auxologico. She explained that, in prolonged cold conditions, the brain activates a specific area of the thalamus that stimulates the sensation of hunger. Essentially, not only does the body burn more calories to warm itself, but the brain also sends signals that prompt us to seek out food to "recharge" our energy. In winter, our metabolism speeds up to produce more heat, and this increased metabolic activity contributes to the desire for more caloric and nutritious foods. Thus, even though we aren't directly exposed to the harsh winter weather like our ancestors, our bodies haven't completely forgotten their ancient survival mechanisms.
What Are The Psychological Causes?
In addition to the biological aspects we've just analyzed, winter brings with it a series of psychological changes that can influence our eating behavior. Indeed, as explained in the study, with the arrival of the cold, the days get shorter, natural light decreases, and we tend to spend more time indoors. This situation clearly favors a "greater intimacy" with food, and many people tend to consume richer, more comforting meals.
The winter season also brings numerous holidays, all of which, culturally, are associated with large lunches and dinners. Events like Christmas and New Year's Eve push us to eat more than usual, not only because all the food is better quality, but also because of the sense of conviviality that encourages us to spend more time at the table.
The important thing is to satisfy hunger without compromising well-being. This way, we can meet the body's physiological needs, preventing the urge to eat from turning into unnecessary binges. It's crucial to understand all the mechanisms that allow us to face winter more consciously, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.
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