Repeated dieting can lead to weight gain because the brain interprets diets as short starvation and prompts the person to store more fat in anticipation of future shortages, according to the results of a study. study published in the medical journal Evolution, Medicine and Public Health. The best way to keep a healthy weight is to eat a balanced diet.
Our body stores calories in anticipation of future famine
Researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Bristol in the UK created a mathematical model of weight gain based on bird watching.
Their model predicts that the average weight gain for dieters will actually be higher than those who never diet. The brain registers the food shortage and sends a message to the body to then store as many calories as possible for fear of running out. This mechanism is due to evolution. Humans, like birds, have experienced periods of famine and plenty and our bodies remember them.
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“Our simple model shows that weight gain does not mean that people’s physiology is not working well or that they are overwhelmed with cravings for sweet tastes. The brain functions perfectly, but uncertainty over food supply triggers the response for store calories“, explains John McNamara, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Bristol.
Tips for keeping a healthy weight are nothing new. “The best thing to lose weight is to follow a balanced diet. Our work suggests that eating a little less than you should all the time and exercising is much more likely to help you reach a healthy weight than following low-calorie diets, ”explains the Dr Andrew Higginson, Full Professor of Psychology at the University of Exeter.
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