High-Intensity Exercise Proven to Suppress Hunger Hormones, Particularly in Women

A
new
study
finds
that

high-intensity
exercise
reduces
hunger
more
effectively
than
moderate
workouts,
especially
for
women.
Published
in
the
Journal
of
the
Endocrine
Society,
the
research
suggests
that
this
approach
may
be
a
valuable
tool
in
weight
management
by
helping
to
naturally
curb
appetite.
The
study
centers
on
ghrelin,
a
hormone
responsible
for
stimulating
hunger.
Led
by
Dr.
Kara
Anderson
from
the
University
of
Virginia,
researchers
observed
that
high-intensity
exercise
reduced
ghrelin
levels
more
than
moderate
exercise
did.
Anderson
notes
that
participants
reported
feeling
less
hungry
after
vigorous
workouts,
an
outcome
that
could
hold
significance
for
weight
management
programs.

Unique
Hormonal
Response
in
Women

While
previous
research
has
mainly
focused
on
how
exercise
impacts
men’s
appetite,

this
study
included
both
men
and
women,
uncovering
interesting
differences.
The
researchers
found
that
women
generally
had
higher
ghrelin
levels
at
the
start
and
experienced
a
stronger
reduction
in
this
hormone
after
high-intensity
exercise,
a
response
not
observed
in
male
participants.

What
This
Means
for
Weight
Loss
Strategies?

The
study
implies
that
reaching
a
higher
exercise
threshold—above
the
lactate
level—may
be
necessary
to
lower
hunger
hormones
effectively.
Moderate
exercise
often
led
to
no
change
or
even
a
slight
increase
in
ghrelin
levels.
Dr.
Anderson
suggests
that
these
findings
could
support
the
idea
of
“dosing”
exercise
like
a
prescription,
where
high-intensity
workouts
may
be
tailored
to
help
individuals
manage
appetite
as
part
of
their
weight
loss
goals.

This
research,
funded
by
the
National
Institute
of
Diabetes
and
Digestive
and
Kidney

Diseases
and
the
University
of
Virginia,
opens
the
door
for
further
exploration
into
the
role
of
exercise
in
appetite
regulation,
particularly
among
different
sexes.