Researchers Investigate the Mysteries of Appetite

The human appetite is a wondrous thing. The quest to sate its demands has been the source and inspiration for the hundreds of different cuisine traditions that have blossomed all around the world. The ceremonial feasts that play such a big part in our special occasions and our everyday experiences -- from breakfast in bed to the traditional Thanksgiving day spread -- all underscore the primacy of the human appetite in our lives.

But for dieters who are trying to shed excess pounds, the persistence of the appetite can be a frustrating obstacle. It often seems that the moment you start to restrict certain fattening or otherwise unhealthy foods, maddening cravings dominate your thoughts. Keeping calories to the recommended low can lead to a distracting day of tummy rumbles. The appetite is a stubborn creature of habit, and in the midst of our well-intentioned efforts to get healthy, it often seems to be conspiring against us.

Because mastering the appetite is a central part of weight loss success, scientists around the world are engaged in an ongoing research effort to crack the mysteries of hunger, cravings, and taste preferences. This week, we'll take a look at three recent studies that have delved into the confounding puzzle of the human appetite -- and yielded some surprising results.

Scientists Identify Key Appetite-Control Centers in Brain; New Obesity Treatment in the Works

For decades, researchers have debated whether nature or nurture exerted the strongest influence over the human appetite. Is it our brains or our environment that dictate our hunger and cravings?

Recently, scientists in the UK have made a breakthrough that may help solve this longstanding conundrum. According to a study conducted by researchers at University College and King's College, both in London, the basic activities that control the human appetite can be pinpointed within a very specific region of the brain.

Using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers traced the activities of the hormone peptide YY in the brain. The scientists developed a nasal spray containing the substance that may be used as an anti-obesity drug.

The experimental subjects who were treated with the hormone peptide YY ate an average of 25% less than their counterparts who were given a placebo. Although more testing is needed to verify the safety and efficacy of the drug, the researchers say that this finding may offer hope in the global war against obesity.

For Many, Perception of Portion Size Plays a Major Role in Appetite

They say that some people have eyes that are bigger than their stomachs. According to Cornell University researcher Brian Wansink, this phenomenon may actually impact the regulation of our appetites.

In a recent experiment, Wansink and his research team sought to assess whether people's perception of portion size affected their appetites. To test this, the team created a special "bottomless" bowl of soup that contained a much greater quantity of food than it appeared to.

Sure enough, the experiment's results indicated that food consumption was influenced by the subjects' perception of serving size. The volunteers who ate soup from the special bottomless bowl consumed an average of 75% more food than did their counterparts who ate soup from normal bowls.

Wansink says that the findings reveal the importance of assessing our own sense of fullness when eating, rather than relying on visual cues such as the amount of food left on our plate. By eating mindfully and constantly reassessing our hunger, we can control our caloric intake with much greater precision.

Chewing Gum Found to be Effective as an Appetite Suppressant

For centuries, scientists have searched for substances and compounds that can help control the human appetite. In recent years, some of the appetite-suppressing drugs that were invented were later revealed to have disastrous health consequences.

The results of a recent study released by scientists at Glasgow's Caledonian University in Scotland indicated that a common household treat -- chewing gum -- may be a safe and effective appetite suppressant. Study participants who chewed a piece of gum in the afternoon reduced their caloric intake significantly.

Specifically, the gum-chewing participants ate far fewer sweet snacks than did their counterparts who did not chew gum. The researchers described the results as preliminary, but agreed that this might be a helpful tool for dieters seeking to reduce their food intake.

Talk to your doctor or a licensed nutritionist to devise an appetite-control plan that will work for you. Be sure to check back each week for the diet and weight loss news you need to succeed!