Tag: Postprandial thermogenesis

The thermic effect of food accounts for roughly 10% of the daily caloric expenditure in healthy adults. If you have ever felt a temporary rise in your body temperature, sometimes called "meat sweats," after consuming a large protein-rich meal, you have experienced this natural physiological response.

Following a meal, a person's body temperature can increase noticeably within 20 to 30 minutes, a process known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). This metabolic boost, triggered by the digestion and absorption of nutrients, causes a slight but temporary rise in internal temperature.

While not an official medical diagnosis, the physiological reaction known colloquially as 'meat sweats' is a real phenomenon linked to diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). This process refers to the energy your body expends to digest and metabolize food, and it’s especially pronounced when consuming large amounts of protein-rich foods.

Research consistently shows that eating a meal temporarily increases your body's metabolic rate, a process called diet-induced thermogenesis. A high protein diet causes a more significant thermogenic effect than diets rich in other macronutrients, leading to a temporary and modest rise in body heat.

According to research, the body expends energy to process food, a phenomenon known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). This metabolic activity is the primary reason why you might feel warm after a meal, including when you get hot after eating carbs. While a universal experience, the sensation can be particularly noticeable after consuming certain types of carbohydrates, such as refined sugars and processed foods.