Have you ever experienced feeling less hungry and having a decreased appetite in hot weather, while eating more and feeling hungrier during winter? It seems that the weather can influence people’s appetite. But why is that?
According to a report from Live Science, scientists have long been studying the impact of temperature on appetite. Allison Childress, an associate professor and registered dietitian at Texas Tech University, stated that people tend to consume more calories in colder environments. Calories are units of energy, and burning calories releases heat, helping individuals maintain body temperature in colder climates. However, as the weather gets warmer, people often notice that they are less hungry. This trend has been observed by Childress in her clinical cases and scientific literature.
Childress mentioned that the exact mechanism behind this phenomenon is still unclear, as there are many factors that can affect calorie intake. Our bodies constantly strive to maintain internal balance, known as homeostasis. This is why we sweat under the hot sun or drink water after intense exercise. Hunger also plays a role in maintaining internal balance — people feel hungry when calorie levels are low and feel full after a meal to keep internal physiological balance.
Many processes of internal balance are regulated by hormones. Two hormones, ghrelin and leptin, play crucial roles in regulating appetite and satiety. Ghrelin is released by the stomach when empty, while leptin is secreted by fat cells and signals the brain when the body is full.
To influence people’s feelings and behaviors, these hormones send signals to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst. Neuroscientist Matt Carter from Williams College mentioned that the hypothalamus contains specialized neurons at its base that coordinate feelings of hunger and satiety, influencing whether individuals feel hungry or full. However, how temperature affects this intricate system remains an open area of research.
Carter noted that other brain systems may also interact to affect people’s food intake. Childress added that there may be other influencing factors at play.
Childress stated that while these biological mechanisms and temperature can impact food intake, there are instances where individuals override these signals and lose the ability to listen to their bodies, such as eating too much when not hungry or skipping meals when hungry.
She emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, regardless of whether you feel like eating in the summer, by consuming water-rich foods like vegetables and fruits or liquids. Surprisingly, frozen foods can actually raise body temperature due to their high calorie content.
Carter mentioned that appetite is a complex balance regardless of the temperature — a way in which our bodies synchronize with the environment.
He said, “Eating and drinking may seem like coincidental occurrences, but in reality, the brain is behind the scenes accurately measuring the body’s needs for calories, water, and optimal temperature. I find this truly remarkable.”
Dr. Li Chang-an, a doctor in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department at Puzi Hospital in Taiwan, suggested the use of Sour and Sweet Nourishing Yin Therapy for symptoms of poor appetite in the summer. This therapy involves using sour and sweet-tasting foods and medicines to nourish yin and moisturize dryness, including common remedies like plum juice, starfruit juice, roselle tea, and lactic acid drinks.