【Fan Letter】Wang Li sat in a café with an untouched latte in front of her. There was a deep melancholy in her eyes, as her boyfriend had recently complained about her weight, which stirred up waves in her heart. What made her even more embarrassed was that it all happened in front of her best friend. Wang Li knows that this best friend has always had bad feelings for her boyfriend.
In order to make herself slimmer and no longer disliked, Wang Li made up her mind. After lunch, she began to strictly control her diet, drinking only water and not eating. After a period of perseverance, she was pleasantly surprised to find that her weight had really dropped. She used to need to eat more than one bowl of rice to be satisfied, but now only half a bowl is enough. She was ecstatic and felt as if her stomach had "shrunk".
AI assistant creation season1. Physiological mechanisms of gastric capacity
1. The anatomy of the stomach
The stomach is located in the abdomen and is a curved-shaped organ, usually located between the sternum and the umbilicus. It is made up of multiple layers of tissue, including the mucosa inside, the muscles in the middle, and the mucosa in the outer. These tissues work in tandem to enable the stomach to perform its digestive functions. The mucosa is the innermost layer inside the stomach and contains many gastric glands that secrete gastric acid, enzymes, and mucus that help break down and digest food. The muscle layer is responsible for the peristalsis and movement of the stomach to mix and push food and stomach acid. The mucosa is the outer layer of tissue that surrounds the stomach and provides protection and support to maintain the shape and structure of the stomach.
2. Stretching reflex of the stomach
The extensive reflex of the stomach is an important physiological phenomenon that plays a key role in food intake. When food enters the stomach, the stomach lining begins to swell and an increase in pressure is perceived. These changes trigger the stretching reflex of the stomach, whose main function is to send signals to the brain that we are full. This reflex mechanism is very important for controlling the amount of food you eat, as it helps to avoid overeating, reduce stomach upset and maintain the health of the body. When the extensive reflex is triggered, the brain sends signals to stop food intake, which helps maintain weight and the normal functioning of the digestive system.
3. Plasticity of gastric capacity
Interestingly, the capacity of the stomach is not fixed and can change depending on dietary Xi and lifestyle changes. Studies have shown that by gradually increasing the amount of meals, the capacity of the stomach can gradually expand, which is called"Plasticity of gastric volume"。This is why some people are able to eat large amounts of food in a relatively short period of time, such as contestants in competitive foodie competitions. This plasticity is due to the adaptability of the stomach muscles and tissues, which can expand and stretch to accommodate more food. Over-expansion of stomach capacity can lead to stomach discomfort and health problems, so be cautious about changes in dietary Xi.
2. The psychological mechanism of appetite
1 The relationship between hunger and appetite
Hunger is a physiological condition that is usually caused by not consuming enough food for a period of time. When we don't eat for a while, the body starts releasing chemicals called gastric hormones, such as gastrin and insulin, to regulate blood sugar levels and energy balance. These hormones can send signals to the brain that we need to eat. Hunger is often accompanied by physiological bodily signals, such as mild discomfort in the abdomen and a feeling of fasting. Appetite is a broader concept that encompasses the psychological feeling of craving food, which does not necessarily coincide with physical hunger.
2. Regulation of appetite
The regulation of appetite is a complex neurobiological process that involves the interaction of multiple brain regions. Among them, the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex are key players. The hypothalamus, located at the base of the brain, is the center that controls appetite and hunger. It receives signals from the body, such as information on blood sugar levels, stomach filling, and hormone levels. If blood sugar levels drop or the stomach is empty, the hypothalamus releases appetite-stimulating signals that prompt us to eat.
The cerebral cortex plays a role in the psychological aspect of appetite. Emotional, memory, and social factors can influence our food desires and choices. For example, seeing delicious food** or smelling the aroma of food may trigger an appetite, even if we are not really hungry. Affective factors such as depression, anxiety, or loneliness can also affect appetite, leading to affective eating.
Hormones also play an important role in appetite regulation. Hormones such as gastrin and insulin regulate blood sugar levels and transmit appetite signals through the hypothalamus. Other hormones such as gastric saturation hormone are also involved in the regulation of satiety.
3. External factors and social factors
External factors and social factors also play an impact on appetite. Accessible foods in the environment, food advertising, social gatherings, and cultural traditions can all influence our appetites and dietary choices. For example, seeing friends enjoying delicious food may trigger a social appetite that makes us more willing to taste food.
3. The relationship between appetite and stomach capacity
In a state of starvation, the stomach is usually in a relatively small state because the extensive reflex of the stomach is not triggered in the absence of food entering the stomach, and the stomach capacity is relatively small. This may also explain why, when we are hungry, we usually only need to eat a little bit to feel full. When we are in a state of hunger, the muscles of the stomach are in a state of relaxation and do not actively expand.
As soon as we start eating, the stomach starts to expand and the stomach capacity gradually increases. This is because after the food enters the stomach, the muscles of the stomach lining contract and gradually push the food towards the lower part of the stomach. This process is a normal physiological response of the stomach to break down and digest food. As food keeps coming in, we feel satisfied and full, which reduces our appetite.
If we overeat, the stomach capacity may expand, causing more food to be needed to feel full. This is the so-called "stomach getting bigger and bigger". Long-term overeating may lead to a continuous increase in stomach volume, making it easier for a person to consume too many calories and thus gain weight.
Fourth, the relationship between dietary Xi and stomach capacity
1 Influence of eating Xi
Dietary Xi has an important impact on stomach capacity. When people are Xi to ingest large amounts of food, the stomach capacity may gradually expand, making them need more food to feel full. Conversely, if people maintain a moderate diet, the stomach capacity may be kept smaller, helping to control appetite.
2 Eating Xi habits and health
Dietary Xi not only affect stomach capacity, but are also closely related to health. Overeating and intake of high-calorie, high-fat foods can lead to obesity and other health problems. Maintaining healthy eating Xi is essential for maintaining moderate stomach volume and controlling appetite.
The phenomenon that the stomach is getting bigger and hungry is not an absolute law, but a physiological process affected by a variety of factors. The key is to learn to listen to our body's needs and adopt healthy eating Xi to maintain good stomach health. Striking a balance between food intake and hunger helps keep your body healthy and balanced.