Eating causes the release of endorphins in the body

Recent results obtained by researchers at Turku PET Center have revealed that eating generates widespread release of opioids in the brain, which likely creates feelings of satiety and pleasure.  The study revealed that a significant amount of endorphins are released throughout the brain after eating a pizza and surprisingly, even more are released after drinking a flavorless nutritional drink. Eating a pizza generated a significant increase in pleasant feelings. While drinking a nutritional drink with the same amount of calories, no. However, both induced a significant release of endogenous opioids in the brain. The magnitude of opioid release was independent of the pleasure associated with eating. According to the researchers, it is likely that the endogenous opioid system regulates both feelings of pleasure and satiety. This sheds light on the roots of certain processes such as addictions, dependencies and other types of eating disorders. “The opioid system regulates eating and appetite. Its dysfunctions have previously been found to be a hallmark of morbid obesity. It was a surprise that endorphins were released throughout the brain. Also that the nutritional drink had a greater impact. This creates the basis for developing future research and we hope to find ways to study and describe the development and predictors of addiction, obesity and eating disorders.” Says researcher Jetro Tuulari M.D., PhD. We all look forward to such future research. But for today, let’s celebrate one more victory in the fight that is the understanding of our body and the relationships that are created at mealtime. Another great news is that now you can explain to your patients in more detail what they are feeling. Read the original article here: http://www.jneurosci.org/content/37/34/8284