The Role of Carbohydrates in Appetite, Hunger and Obesity

Abstract

Appetite and hunger may be functions of dietary carbohydrate content. Preabsorptive insulin-induced hypoglycemia probably explains how the anticipation, sight, smell or taste of palatable high-carbohydrate foods can stimulate appetite; and postabsorptive insulin-induced hypoglycemia may explain how the ingestion of a high-carbohydrate meal stimulates hunger. Rather than increasing appetite and hunger in general, however, insulin-induced hypoglycemia may specifically increase appetite and hunger for more carbohydrates, especially sugar. All carbohydrates are probably not equally important in the prevention and treatment of obesity: diets high in simple-sugar content may produce greater appetite and hunger than most high-starch diets.