More often than not we're made to believe that when we overeat we'll end up feeling guilty and work out just as hard to get rid of all the excess calories we've consumed. But a new study has found that there might not be much truth to this. On the contrary, new findings show that when you restrict the consumption of food you're more likely to exercise more often. The study claims that when you limit your food consumption, it gives rise to a hormone called ghrelin which motivates you to exercise and work out.
Also known as the hunger hormone, ghrelin is said to regulate brain reward circuitry to stimulate the appetite. In fact, the hormone is also said to improve endurance during exercise and can also improve metabolism so that your body gets the required amount of exercise. Although previous studies had hinted at a connection between ghrelin and exercise, no direct links were ever found.
"Our findings suggest that hunger, which promotes ghrelin production, may also be involved in increasing motivation for voluntary exercise when feeding is limited. Therefore, maintaining a healthy eating routine, with regular mealtimes or fasting, could also encourage motivation for exercise in overweight people," said author Yuji Tajiri from the Kurume University in Japan.
The study was conducted on a group of mice. The mice were divided into two groups. One group was given free access to food while the other was only fed twice a day in restricted quantities. Then the amount of physical activity the two groups opted for was surveyed. The results were clear; the mice who ate less opted for more frequent exercise activities whereas the ones who ate freely exercised less and opted for fewer physical activity options.
The results of this survey can show that people who restrict their diet and opt for the right exercise options can lose weight effectively. This could include making a proper diet plan, fasting intermittently or limiting food intake and teaming these with an effective workout plan. Ultimately this could help prevent obesity and other health issues like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
