Appetite

Appetite (from Lat . Appetitus - desire, desire) - a sensation associated with the need for food, as well as the physiological mechanism that regulates the intake of nutrients in the body.

Appetite is closely associated with the activity of the food center, mainly with its departments in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. The appetite is determined by the information that comes to the food center about the nutritional conditions, intake and assimilation of food, and expenditure of food reserves. Appetite does not follow the exhaustion of the body's reserves , but prevents it, therefore, many irritants that form the appetite can change their signal value in accordance with a change in the usual diet. Appetite stimulation depends on the content of intermediate metabolic products in the blood, the level of their assimilation by cells, the content of water in the tissues, the state of fat stores, contractions of the empty stomach, lowering body temperature, as well as on many external irritants associated with conditioned reflex activity (type and smell food, familiar surroundings, etc.). Inhibition of appetite occurs as a result of the act of eating, stretching the walls of the stomach with food, absorption and assimilation of the products of its breakdown, changes in hormonal levels.

There is a general appetite - for any food - and specialized, or selective, forms of appetite that reflect the body's need for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins. Appetite contributes not only to the regulation of the consumption of certain foods in the amount necessary for the body, but also to its digestion and assimilation, stimulating the secretion of saliva and gastric juice . A good appetite often indicates physical and mental well-being. Appetite disorders are a symptom of many diseases. A decrease in appetite ( anorexia ), its painful increase ( bulimia ) or perversion are observed with brain tumors, many neuropsychiatric disorders, disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamin deficiencies , endocrine diseases. Normalization of appetite depends on both the treatment of the underlying disease and the observance of a proper diet.

The most common cause of appetite is a sharp fluctuation in blood sugar. These fluctuations are provoked by short-term and intense absorption of sugary foods characteristic of modern people (fast food, carbonated drinks, sweets). In a short time of such a “snack” the blood sugar level increases by 2-3 times. The body regards this as an extremely dangerous situation and begins to quickly convert sugar into fat, getting rid of excess sugar. As a result, the sugar level drops sharply, which provokes the brain to a powerful signal of hunger - a decrease in blood sugar - a potential threat to life.