Eating too much or over-indulging every meal has long-term health risks such as obesity and diabetes. However, a recent study revealed how metabolism immediately and positively handles over-eating in a pizza study.
A team from the University of Bath's Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Metabolism conducted a study involving pizza, which was recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition. 14 young men, aged 22-37, were divided into two groups where one group had normal eating while the second group did maximal eating.
Those who doubled their calorie intake were able to keep a substantial amount of nutrients in the bloodstream without negative consequences. However, frequent over-indulging is not advised by the team, especially for those with conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Aaron Hengist said that over-eating is usually associated with health problems, 'but we know much less about some of the immediate effects 'all you can eat' places on the body.' The body can actually cope 'remarkably well when faced with a massive and sudden calorie excess.'
Over-Eating Pizza
'Healthy humans can eat twice as much as 'full' and deal effectively with this huge initial energy surplus' said Hengist. The average calorie intake during the pizza experiment was 3,000 calories, which was about 1.5 large pizzas. Some individuals were able to eat two or 2.5 pizzas.
The ideal daily intake of calories for adult men is about 2,500. However, the maximal eating revealed that blood sugar levels remained normal, insulin increased to 50% higher which controlled glucose levels, and gut hormones were released to stimulate insulin secretion.
Besides measuring blood sugar levels, mood, and appetite were also observed. Naturally, the participants felt sleepy or lethargic four hours after over-eating but had no desire to eat anything else, even dessert. This surprised the team because the brain's reward center tends to have a 'there's always room for dessert' thought after meals.
Professor James Betts explained, 'we know that people often eat beyond their needs, which is why so many of us struggle to manage our body weight.' This is the first research that has 'measured the maximal capacity for eating at a single meal to understand how the human body responds to that challenge.' Perhaps this is why athletes will binge on carbohydrates, or go carb-loading.
The human body can adapt 'to an excessive delivery of dietary nutrients at one huge meal,' said Betts. The participants in the study efficiently used or stored the nutrients they consumed from pizza with no difference of sugar and fat levels in their blood compared to eating half the amount of food.
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Overindulge Occasionally
Overeating only becomes a real problem when it's done too frequently, leading to obesity and other health issues such as cholesterol problems, heart disease, and diabetes. 'However, this study shows that if an otherwise healthy person overindulges occasionally, for example eating a large buffet meal or Christmas lunch, then there are no immediate negative consequences in terms of losing metabolic control,' said Betts.
Since the study only involved young, healthy men, the team plans to expand their research with women and compare the differences in physiology. The team also hopes to have similar studies involving obese and older people.
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