Appetite

Appetite: what is it and how does it work in the human body?

Appetite is the emotional expression of the human body's desire for a certain food. It is subjectively different from the feeling of hunger, which reflects the body's need for nutrients and is usually unpleasant.

The occurrence of a feeling of hunger is associated with ideas about a future meal, and reflects the pleasant emotional sensations that usually accompany the intake of a particular food. Appetite is formed as a result of stimulation of certain parts of the central nervous system and is accompanied by salivation, secretion of digestive juices, increased peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preparing the digestive organs for food intake.

Tastyly prepared food, its pleasant appearance and smell, and beautiful table setting increase appetite, while the unpleasant appearance and smell of food and unkempt surroundings suppress appetite and negatively affect the functioning of the digestive organs.

In people who regularly follow a diet, the body adapts to the secretion of digestive juices at a certain time and in a certain amount. Violation of the diet, eating dry food, various kinds of distractions during meals (talking, reading, working while eating, etc.) cause appetite disorders and can cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism. A decrease in appetite can also be associated with overwork, a nervous environment at work and at home.

Children sometimes experience a decrease in appetite associated with a change in their usual routine (for example, in schoolchildren in their first year of education, in children starting to attend kindergarten or nursery), as well as due to the introduction of new foods into the diet. Pronounced selectivity of appetite, reaching the point of pickiness, is often observed in women during pregnancy and in patients.

Changes in appetite from complete absence (anorexia) to an indomitable desire to eat (bulimia) can accompany various diseases, and therefore, in case of persistent appetite disorders, you should consult a doctor.

In conclusion, appetite is a normal physiological process that plays an important role in digestion and maintaining a healthy body. However, its violation can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to monitor your diet, avoid various distractions while eating, and pay attention to the quality and taste of the foods we eat. If you have problems with your appetite, do not hesitate to seek help from a specialist. He will help determine the cause of the problem and suggest appropriate treatment. Remember that proper nutrition and a healthy appetite are the key to your well-being and longevity.



Appetite is a state when a person feels the desire to eat. It can be caused by various factors, such as hunger, fatigue, stress, or simply the desire to enjoy the taste of food.

Appetite can be either healthy or unhealthy. A healthy appetite is associated with the normal functioning of the body and allows it to obtain the necessary nutrients to maintain health. An unhealthy appetite can lead to overeating and excess weight, which can negatively impact a person's health.

To maintain a healthy appetite, you need to eat right and monitor your daily routine. It is also important to avoid overeating and eat food in moderation. In addition, a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity can help maintain a normal appetite.

If your appetite becomes unhealthy, this may indicate a health problem. For example, increased appetite may be associated with hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. It can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease.

In any case, if you have problems with your appetite, you should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. This will help avoid possible complications and maintain health.



Appetite is a quality, property of a food substrate, as well as its subjective perception by a person associated with his desire to eat. Appetite is opposed to satiety. Energy expenditure associated with food consumption in metabolic processes can be considered as the energy equivalent of appetite. Thus, appetite can be described as a combination of both physiological and psychological factors. A person tries new food that is unfamiliar to him, and he develops an active interest in it. This is a manifestation of the physiological type of appetite - “cognitive”. Later, a person willingly begins to use it in his diet, which he previously avoided due to disgust for it or fear that he might be poisoned. This is an expression of a feeling of peace, pleasure, the emergence of pleasure. This type is called "flavoring". For example, the sight or smell of bread can cause a feeling of hunger, although the person may not be truly hungry. The feeling of hunger usually occurs due to a long period of disruption of normal nutrition, when the body experiences exhaustion as a result of a sharp increase in the loss of protein, fat, carbohydrates and other substances that are the structural components of our body. Often a person experiences a feeling of hunger to the point of physical fatigue, even before the actual time of eating. And the reason for this phenomenon is overeating in the previous period, or gluttony, which is a habit that is harmful in all respects: it is dangerous to health, unhealthy