The human body has developed the ability to adapt itself against numerous difficulties in survival for thousands of years. The most impressive one of the adaptation processes is the reaction to hunger.

So, how does our body survive when it encounters food scarcity? What kind of transformation does our metabolism to protect power supplies and maintain vital functions?

The first reaction to hunger begins with the regulation of power supplies.

When we cannot find food, our bodies first begins to reorganize power supplies. A large part of our power requirement is met by glucose, the main source of power of our cells, obtained by disintegration of carbohydrates.

A few hours after the meal, the body uses energy in the usual form, but in a hunger for 8 to 12 hours, glucose levels begin to decrease. At this point, the body is now not entering a crisis mode and turns to alternative power supplies instead of glucose.

After 24 hours, alternative power supplies come into play.

If we don’t eat anything for a day, the glycogen stores of the body start to run out and the fat burning process is entered to meet the power requirement.

The liver converts fats into ketones and creates a new fuel source for the brain and other organs. Ketones are among the critical molecules that allow us to survive especially in long -term hunger.

After 72 hours, the muscles go into defense mode.

When we eat for three days, the metabolism starts to save power by dropping his face. Meanwhile, he tries to limit muscle destruction to minimize protein loss.

Instead, it uses fat stores more and increases ketone production. When the brain uses glucose, the brain now begins to work with ketones to a great extent, which can explain the feeling of mental clarity in the hunger process.

After a week, the survival mode is overwhelmed.

If we don’t eat for a week, thyroid hormones and other metabolic regulators come into play. The activity of thyroid hormones decreases and metabolism slows down. Just like the body temperature decreases and physical activity decreases.

During this period, fat stores continue to be the main source of power, but in the long run, some proteins are also used in power production so that vital organs do not see waste.

In a long periodic hunger, the body is forcing the borders quite a lot.

The body’s capacity to withstand hunger for weeks or even months depends on the fat ratio and the general health state. In cases of long -lasting hunger, the usual muscle mass begins to decrease in significant form and the immune system weakens, vitamins and mineral deficiencies can disrupt the functions of the organs.

At this point, the body begins to use its own tissues as a power supply, and when the critical threshold is overcome, significant health problems may arise for organ failure.

How does hunger affect our psychology?

“Why are we angry when you’re hungry?” The question is the result of all these influences. Staying hungry affects us not only physiological, but also spiritually.

In the case of long -term hunger, changes in brain chemistry also occur. In particular, the levels of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and dopamine, have decreased, which can cause changes in mood, concentration difficulties, and even depressive symptoms.

At the same time, appetite hormones change in case of hunger. The hormone called Ghrelin increases the feeling of hunger, while the leptin hormone provides a feeling of satiety.

In the hunger process, Ghrelin levels increase, which always causes a feeling of hunger. We can actually think of this as an evolutionary adaptation to increase motivation in finding food.

Anyone can give different reactions to the hunger process.

Our hunger endures are not one, and it affects various factors, such as age, gender, body fat content, general health status and previous eating habits.

For example, individuals with high fat ratio can withstand a longer response, while individuals with low fat rates can experience a more power crisis.

As a result, our body exhibits an incredible adaptation ability to survive in case of hunger. Again, it is worth noting that the hunger situation, which lasts very long hours or days, affects both our physiology and psychology. Therefore, it is necessary to know that the body has a healthy function with balanced nutrition and sufficient power intake.

You can also examine them about hunger: