Intense Exercise May Reduce Appetite, Especially in Women
Intense Exercise May Reduce Appetite, Especially in Women
A recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggests that high-intensity exercise can reduce hunger in healthy adults more than moderate exercise. This effect may be more noticeable in women than in men.
The study focused on how different exercise intensities impact ghrelin, a hormone that controls hunger. According to lead researcher Dr. Kara Anderson from the University of Virginia, “We found that high-intensity exercise lowered ghrelin levels more effectively than moderate exercise.” Participants reported feeling less hungry after intense workouts.
Ghrelin exists in two forms, acylated (AG) and deacylated (DAG), which both influence appetite. Research on how exercise affects these forms is limited, especially in women. To explore this, the study involved eight men and six women, who fasted overnight before completing exercises of varying intensities. Researchers then measured their blood lactate and collected appetite ratings.
The results showed that women started with higher levels of total ghrelin. However, after intense exercise, only the women experienced a significant drop in AG levels, which contributed to reduced hunger. In contrast, moderate exercise didn’t reduce ghrelin levels in either group; in some cases, it even increased.
The researchers noted that intense exercise, which pushes the body past a certain lactate threshold, might be necessary to lower ghrelin and suppress hunger. More research is needed to understand how these effects differ between men and women.
Ghrelin also influences energy balance, blood sugar, immune function, sleep, and memory. Dr. Anderson noted that exercise should be “personalized, much like a medicine dose,” suggesting that high-intensity workouts might be beneficial for appetite control and weight loss goals.
The study was conducted by a team from the University of Virginia, including Tana Mardian, Benjamin Stephenson, Emily Grammer, and others.