People love eating. Apart from the fact that it sustains life in general, it also boosts our mood and gives us energy. Most foods provide satisfaction whether you eat them alone or share them with others. Most of the time, it serves as our refuge from all the stressful situations —  hello Netflix and chill. 

The food industry is the largest sector of the global economy, and it gets bigger and richer every day. New recipes are popping up on your screen as social media creates a borderless world. Consequently, there is an ongoing craze called the #MukbangChallenge. It is a live-streamed eating show. Here, influencers binge eat large quantities of foods as quickly as possible. As these videos circulate online, they may trigger your cravings right after watching them because of your ghrelin. Ghrelin is a gut hormone that sends signals to the brain, causing a spike in your appetite. 

Instances like this can increase your calorie level. Calories are not bad at all. The body needs calories to produce more energy. However, too many calories are also harmful to your health, especially when you do not burn enough of them off. 

What Happens When You Overeat? 

Studies have shown that the stomach takes 20 minutes to send a signal to your brain that it is already full. Overeating happens when you bypass that duration. When you eat more than what you burn, you are waving hello to weight gain.Sure, prevention is better than cure, but before you think of solutions, it is important  to understand first the effects of overeating on your body. 

It Makes You Nauseous and Sleepy

Overeating and a quick intake of foods can cause nausea and indigestion. The size of your stomach varies per person. For adults, it is typically the same as the size of your clenched fists. Thus, when you consume more food  than your stomach can handle, indigestion occurs. In extreme cases, it makes you vomit to relieve acute stomach pressure. 

As you consume a large amount of food, your system also works double to break the food down by releasing hormones and enzymes. Apart from that, overeating can expand your stomach, pushing other organs. The phenomenon called reactive hypoglycemia can likewise make you feel sluggish. It happens due to an increase in insulin levels after consuming a heavy meal. 

It Can Harm The Brain And Lead To Diabetes

Although overeating rarely affects your overall health, chronic overeating can lead to obesity. It increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. One way to distinguish this is through your body mass index (BMI). A BMI that is 30 and above indicates metabolic syndrome, which calls for immediate action. Additionally, although there is still a need for further research, some studies have shown that overeating can lead to cognitive decline, especially for older adults. 

It Increases Body Fats and Disrupts Hunger Regulation

A calorie surplus happens when you overeat. Unburned calories are stored as fat. Before you ask how many calories it takes to lose a pound, you need to understand first that the typical daily caloric requirement is between 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day. Eating more than your required calories disrupts your ghrelin and leptin hormones. Leptin suppresses your appetite. This happens when your dopamine increases from eating feel-good foods, such as junk food. 

How Many Calories to Lose A Pound?

If you have gained weight through chronic overeating, your question could be: how many calories does it take to lose a pound? That depends on the duration of your goal. Below are ways to help you achieve them.

How Many Calories To Lose A Pound In A Week?

It takes a surplus of 3500 calories to gain 1 pound. Therefore in order to lose a pound, it requires burning 3500 calories or reducing your caloric intake by 3500 calories. Experts suggest that losing 1-2 pounds per week is a healthy range you can achieve. This depends on the amount of weight you are looking to lose and your current diet.

Regardless of how many pounds you want to lose, the process is challenging. However, you will reap a healthy result when you do it one step at a time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, losing 4 to 8 pounds a month is a healthy goal. It is also advisable to choose a diet plan that suits your lifestyle.

Calories Are Not The Culprit

Calories are essential nutrients the body needs to keep moving. It pushes people to ask: How many calories to lose a pound, especially when the situation gets out of control. However, it is vital to understand that you are what you eat. If you want to stay fit and healthy, you need to make the right choices for yourself today.