Eating small and frequent meals can prevent obesity! How many meals should you eat every day? The answer is…

We often hear people say: "Eat small meals frequently", which is often recommended for people with poor stomach function. However, according to new research, eating small meals frequently throughout the day may be the key to preventing overeating, obesity and diabetes. How many meals a day is better? Research experts from the Medical School of the University of Athens also gave a clear answer.

Study: AGRP neurons control hunger, and stimulation triggers the desire to eat

Before we look at how eating small, frequent meals can help prevent overeating, let’s first understand why appetite is related to obesity? According to the Mail Daily, researchers have discovered that there is a key type of neuron - AGRP neurons - that controls hunger. What are AGRP neurons? In fact, there is a group of neurons in the hypothalamus of the human body called AGRP, which acts like an appetite regulator. When stimulated, it will cause the body to want to eat. Otherwise, it will cause people to fast or even lose their appetite. The researchers also pointed out that the biological mechanism behind the "activity" of this neuron confirms that nutrition is the key to regulating the hunger system!

US scientists analysed brain scans to understand why people get excited when they see food coming out at a restaurant, but feel deeply disappointed when it is delivered to someone else. The researchers also found that eating multiple meals throughout the day may reduce eating and avoid obesity by continuously suppressing hunger neurons, preventing the brain from being active in the sight and smell of food.

Avoid hunger by activating neurons to allow the body to receive calories and nutrients from food

Previous research by the team in mice found that these neurons are very active when the animals are hungry. But the activity of these neurons drops, or is suppressed, both when the animals smell food and when they eat. The researchers found that the only way to prevent these hunger neurons from activating is to allow the body to receive calories and nutrients from food.

Research from the University of Athens Medical School shows that eating regularly and keeping calorie intake constant can improve blood sugar levels.

Being hungry is unpleasant, and these neurons appear to mediate that, said J. Nicholas Betley, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. A new study published in Cell Reports shows that when mice see food, brain activity drops rapidly and remains low during and after eating.

Eating more often leads to better blood sugar control, helps manage obesity

It is recommended that eating smaller meals multiple times throughout the day can suppress neurons at a constant level so that the body will not be affected by the feeling of hunger. Previous studies have found that eating regularly leads to better blood sugar control, which is crucial for managing diabetes and obesity. Maybe we can develop better food combinations, or better ways of eating, says Batley.

Eating 6 small meals a day can help you lose weight

Eating 6 small meals a day can help you lose weight better. Research from the University of Athens Medical School shows that eating regularly and keeping calorie intake constant can improve blood sugar levels. Regular chewing may also reduce hunger in obese people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes. Lower blood sugar means better blood sugar control, leading to weight loss.