Tag: Eating in hot weather

Your body's internal temperature regulation takes priority in hot weather, which often leads to a natural decrease in appetite. So, do you need to eat more when it's hot? The answer lies in understanding your body's clever cooling mechanisms and how the digestive process generates heat.

According to research published in the National Institutes of Health, a decrease in food intake in hot environments is a well-documented observation. While you may not feel hungry, eating is still crucial for maintaining your body's energy and fluid balance, preventing dehydration, and avoiding heat-related illnesses.

According to a 1947 study of soldiers in different climates, those in tropical regions consumed significantly fewer calories than those in colder, arctic regions. This phenomenon, where you might ask, "Why do I want to eat less in the summer?", is a perfectly normal biological response to warmer weather, not a matter of willpower.

According to a study published in *PLOS Biology*, hot weather can trigger a hormonal response in the brain that suppresses appetite, a natural physiological reaction to limit the heat generated by digestion. While your body's signals might tell you to stop eating, it's still vital to know if you should eat in extreme heat to maintain energy, replace lost electrolytes, and support your body's critical functions.

According to a 2021 study, a 1-degree Celsius temperature increase can correlate with a 0.11% decrease in food intake. This drop in appetite during summer is a natural physiological response, but understanding if you should eat more or less in the heat is crucial for maintaining energy and hydration.