Nutrient deprivation has short- and long-term consequences. Some may be irreversible. The feeling of hunger is nothing more than the lack of intake of food essential to satisfy the body’s basic needs and maintain its vital functions. It is the state in which the body experiences a lack of nutrients and vitamins, […]
Nutrient deprivation has short- and long-term consequences. Some may be irreversible
The feeling of hunger is nothing more than the lack of food intake essential to satisfy the body’s primary needs and maintain its vital functions. It is the state in which the body experiences a deficiency of nutrients and vitamins and its well-being is compromised. Which affects not only physical health, but also mental health.
“Hunger can cause several changes in the brain, including a decrease in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which affects mood. Additionally, malnutrition can lead to brain atrophy. This affects areas related to memory, learning and emotions”, explains Flávio Henrique, doctor with more than 10 years of experience in psychiatry.
Hunger has short- and long-term effects
We must emphasize that there is a crucial difference between acute hunger and chronic hunger. Acute hunger is what we feel when we go a few hours without eating. Whether it is due to following a diet, lack of time or simply the absence of food in the period between meals. In these cases the brain triggers immediate responses to the search for food, as it immediately senses the lack of energy. “This generates symptoms such as dizziness and weakness, also causing a reduction in the intake of essential nutrients, affecting brain plasticity and impairing memory, cognition and executive functions.”
“The instinct to search for food, as well as the stress caused by hunger, can lead to difficulty concentrating, cognitive slowness and impulsive decisions. This compromises the ability to evaluate risks and benefits in a balanced way”, underlines the professional.
After a while…
In the long term, the effects of malnutrition and extreme hunger can cause more serious problems. These include increased risk of diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and an increased susceptibility to obesity. In addition to forcing a type of body functioning that often leads to irreversible consequences. “Chronic starvation causes long-term adaptations in the brain to conserve energy, leading to reduced cognitive function.”
In childhood, for example, malnutrition caused by starvation can have lasting effects on brain development. “Especially because it affects the development of certain regions that only reach their peak during adolescence. This can lead to delays in cognitive development and increase the risk of mental health problems in adulthood,” warns Henrique.
Hunger directly affects emotions
Although it often presents physiological symptoms, such as stomach upset, headaches and the famous “rumbling stomach”, a lack of food directly affects mood and emotions. “Hungry people may experience aggression, anxiety and depression due to changes in brain neurotransmitters and worries about food, especially in chronic cases,” explains the psychiatrist. Proof of this is that hunger is associated with a greater risk of psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, as Henrique points out.
Worrying panorama
The numbers surrounding this topic represent a serious problem to be debated and solved on the planet. In Brazil 21 million people have nothing to eat every day, while 70.3 million Brazilians are in a situation of food insecurity. Globally, 735 million people suffer from hunger and 2.3 million are vulnerable to food.
These data come from a report published by the United Nations (UN), on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), published jointly by five specialized agencies of the United Nations – the Food and Nutrition Organization of the Nations United Agriculture (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Program (WFP).
Origin and consequences of hunger
Extreme hunger can be caused by poverty or be a consequence of eating disorders, “as these conditions involve a complex relationship with food, often leading to extreme dietary restrictions or episodes of binge eating,” explains Henrique. In any case, these people experience changes in the brain constantly and in increasing quantities.
With practically no energy intake, the central nervous system tends to “shut down”, as it considers hunger as a punishment that it cannot get rid of. Therefore, neurons are anesthetized by the sensation of hunger and prolong this suffering.
With an increasingly sudden drop in serotonin and dopamine levels, those suffering from a lack of food may experience conditions such as anxiety, social phobia, depression, panic syndrome, serious self-esteem problems, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder. What drives us to hunger comes at a much greater cost to governments than investing in social programs to solve it.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
