Feeling hungry after exercise does not mean increased appetite, experts say
Nutrition experts say post-exercise hunger is not caused by increased appetite, but by energy use and temporary hormonal changes.
Experts in nutrition have clarified that feeling hungry after a workout does not indicate an increased appetite. Instead, it is linked to energy usage and short-term hormonal fluctuations. A press release from Russia Today reports that despite the common perception, post-exercise hunger is not a sign of heightened hunger due to the physical activity. Research suggests that appetite does experience a temporary impact from exercising, but the energy expended during the workout can result in genuine hunger later.
Exercising temporarily reduces appetite by lowering ghrelin levels, the hormone linked to hunger, while simultaneously raising hormones that signal fullness. Yet, this effect typically subsides within 30 to 90 minutes, after which appetite returns to its usual state. This hunger is likely a result of the body utilizing more energy, necessitating a subsequent increase in hunger to restore energy balance.
Additionally, other factors can contribute to consuming more, such as perceiving exercise as a reward or mistaking thirst for hunger due to fluid loss.
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