Our bodies get energy from food, so if you don't eat for a while, your brain sends signals that you're hungry. Hunger is a natural bodily response, but if you feel hungry after eating, there may be another cause. In this case, there may be a problem beyond simple hunger. Let's take a look at some of the main causes of hunger after eating.
1. Diabetes
Frequent hunger is one of the representative symptoms of diabetes. The body breaks down food into glucose and uses it as an energy source, but in the case of diabetics, glucose is not properly delivered to each cell. This causes the brain to think that there is a lack of energy and sends signals to eat more food. If you experience symptoms such as a sudden increase in appetite, severe thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, and frequent urination, you may suspect diabetes.
2. Hypoglycemia
Hunger may be a sign of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL, and you feel hungry because you lack energy. This is a common symptom in people with diabetes, but hypoglycemia can also occur due to hepatitis, kidney disease, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, adrenal or pituitary gland abnormalities, etc. If you experience symptoms such as anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, and sweating along with hunger, you should suspect hypoglycemia.
3. Diet composition
If you feel hungry quickly after eating, the nutritional composition of your diet may be the cause. A diet high in refined carbohydrates digests and absorbs quickly, so it quickly eliminates the feeling of fullness and makes you feel hungry again. On the other hand, a diet rich in fiber, protein, and fat maintains a feeling of fullness for a long time, delaying hunger. For a healthy diet, it is important to maintain a balanced diet.
4. Stress
Stress is also one of the main causes of hunger. When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol is secreted, which weakens the function of leptin, which suppresses appetite. This causes you to feel hungry even after eating. If you don't manage your stress, you may overeat, which can lead to weight gain.
5. Dehydration
Our bodies can confuse thirst with hunger. Especially in chronic dehydration, the body misinterprets dehydration as hunger, stimulating the desire to eat. If you drink less than the recommended daily amount of 1.6L to 2L of water, you may feel hungry frequently. Frequent consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea can also cause dehydration in the body, which can lead to hunger.
6. Thyroid dysfunction
If you have hyperthyroidism, your body's metabolism is accelerated, which causes you to feel hungry frequently. This is because your body consumes excessive energy. If you have symptoms such as weight loss, feeling hot easily, sweating a lot, rapid pulse, or emotional anxiety, you should suspect a thyroid problem.
7. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep affects appetite control. If you don't get enough sleep, the ghrelin hormone that stimulates appetite increases and the leptin hormone that suppresses appetite decreases. This makes you feel hungry more often, and you especially want more high-fat, high-calorie foods. If you sleep less than 6 hours a day, you are more likely to overeat, so it is important to get enough sleep.
8. Zero drinks
Zero drinks that contain artificial sweeteners instead of sugar are popular for dieting, but they can actually cause hunger. Artificial sweeteners stimulate the brain's reward system to increase hunger, and when energy is not supplied, the brain demands more food intake to obtain energy from other foods.
Conclusion
Hunger is not simply caused by a lack of food intake or energy. Various causes, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, dehydration, and thyroid dysfunction, can cause hunger. If you feel persistently hungry and these symptoms are accompanied, it is recommended to get a health checkup.
