Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – With the arrival of autumn, the days get shorter, temperatures drop, and daily habits change, even at the table. Many people report having a bigger appetite and a greater craving for foods high in fat and sugar. But are there really mechanisms that increase hunger with the change of season, as happens in nature with animals preparing supplies for hibernation? "The available studies provide less clear-cut answers than one might think.
In this article, we'll see what they say and which habits help us feel good." The experts on the anti-hoax platform 'Doctor, is it true that...?' of the Fnomceo (National Federation of the Orders of Physicians, Surgeons and Dentists) have taken stock of the situation.
With the arrival of colder weather and shorter days, are we hungrier? Many people report a greater appetite in autumn, but the available large-scale data doesn't show an automatic and uniform increase for everyone.
They argue that it's important to distinguish between the subjective sensation of hunger and the amount of food actually consumed: most studies, in fact, don't measure how hungry people feel, but rather assess energy intake, that is, the amount of energy consumed through food and drink. Several studies show that energy intake varies throughout the year.
While in the past these variations depended on harvests and seasonal food availability, this is no longer the case today. Other factors, such as individual and social behavior, geographic area, and climate, play a role. For this reason, study findings are inconsistent. Some studies have observed higher energy intake in autumn compared to summer, but there is insufficient evidence to conclude that hunger automatically increases in the general population.
What happens to our bodies when the days get shorter? "Hours of daylight can influence nutrition through serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating appetite and satiety. In winter, when the days are shorter, some studies have observed changes in the functioning of the serotonin system compared to summer. In some people, this may alter appetite and eating behavior, but it does not prove that the reduction in daylight hours automatically causes an increase in hunger," the experts note. "Mood, sleep quality and duration, physical activity, and daily habits can also play a role in the relationship between light and nutrition. Temperature can also influence food intake. Some studies conducted on cold exposure have observed changes in hormones that regulate appetite: ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, may increase, and leptin, associated with the sense of satiety, may decrease. However, these results were obtained primarily under experimental conditions and are not sufficient to demonstrate that the normal drop in temperatures in autumn causes an increase in hunger. Seasonal variations in nutrition depend primarily on the interaction between biological, environmental, psychological, and social factors." social. Changes in appetite can also be a manifestation of mood disorders linked to the transition between summer and autumn."
So, isn't it true that consuming foods higher in fat and sugar protects us from the cold? "After a meal, the body uses energy to digest and absorb nutrients and produces heat. This is called diet-induced thermogenesis. However, in a regular diet, this phenomenon represents only a small portion of daily energy expenditure, about 10%, and is not enough to protect us from the cold in the long term," they warn.
Is it easier to gain weight in winter? "As we've seen, the change of season doesn't automatically lead to an increase in appetite or the risk of weight gain. However, it can contribute to weight gain if physical activity is reduced, as might happen when the days get shorter and the often rainy weather leads to a more sedentary lifestyle. There are, however, numerous alternatives to running or walking in the park. With the arrival of cold weather, they advise, it's also recommended to vary your diet, choosing seasonal products: this will be an opportunity to consume local, unprocessed foods, which, in addition to their nutritional benefits, do not have a negative impact on the environment. Finally, beware of 'seasonal diets' that go viral on social media: they attribute miraculous powers to a single food or promise a detox effect after the summer, which isn't necessary if you follow a varied and balanced diet."
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