Hunger or desire to eat: the brain is in charge
But the urge to eat doesn't always stem from the physiological need to eat in order to function. Sometimes, this urge is triggered by the anticipated pleasure associated with eating a particular food. In this case, what happens in the brain is different. The signals of the urge to eat come from the reward circuit, which corresponds to nerve connections linking two small groups of specific neurons in our brain.
And it's no surprise that our desire to eat often turns to fat and sugar. Indeed, when we eat sugar or fatty foods, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical messenger that ensures the connection between neurons in the reward circuit. It's even been called the pleasure hormone. The brain then associates this food with pleasure, and develops the desire to eat more.
Risk of being overweight
The more fatty or sugary foods you eat, the more your brain gets used to them. You then need to eat more to get the same pleasure. This can lead to frequent cravings, even when you're not hungry. This can ultimately lead to overweight or even obesity.
This is why it's important to maintain a balanced and varied diet. Fiber-rich foods and protein, in particular, have a much lesser effect on the brain's reward circuitry. This reduces the need to eat when you're not hungry.
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