Love and appetite - what is the link?

The Surprising Link Between Oxytocin and Appetite Control

Oxytocin, also known as "the love hormone" is a neuropeptide that help send messages between the brain and different parts of the body. It's primarily known for its influence on social behaviour, reproduction, and emotional well-being. However, there is another fascinating aspect of its function: its ability to control appetite.

How Does Oxytocin Influence Hunger?

Oxytocin plays a key role in regulating hormones such as ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin, known as the "hunger hormone," is released by the stomach to signal when it’s time to eat, stimulating appetite and food intake. Leptin, on the other hand, acts as the body's "appetite regulator," released by fat cells to tell the brain when there is enough energy stored in the body, promoting feelings of fullness.

How Oxytocin Controls Food Intake

Oxytocin doesn't just curb your appetite in one simple way. Some of the ways it works include:

• Controlling meal size: Oxytocin helps control portion sizes by signalling fullness, making it easier to eat smaller, more balanced meals.

• Food reward responses: It influences the brain’s reward system, helping to curb the urge to eat in response to stress or emotions rather than hunger.

• Curb sugar cravings: Oxytocin may reduce cravings for sweet foods by regulating dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone, and influencing brain areas that control pleasure and reward.
  

The Gut-Brain Connection

Research suggests that gut microbes communicate with the brain through the vagus nerve, playing a role in oxytocin production and release. An imbalance between good and unwanted gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can directly affect how oxytocin is produced and released in the body.

How to Boost Oxytocin

Oxytocin is released when we experience positive interactions, whether it’s with other people or even animals. A simple touch, a warm hug, or stroking someone’s arm can all trigger the "love" hormone. It’s also released when we eat, showing just how connected our emotions and appetite really are. This hormone plays a big role in our overall well-being, so find some time each day to feel connected with a loved one, play with your pets or do something that makes you calm. Not only does oxytocin help us feel good, but it also plays an important role in making better choices, especially when it comes to managing stress and sugary cravings.

Conclusion

Oxytocin isn’t just the “love hormone” - it also plays a key role in appetite regulation. By helping you feel full during meals and influencing how your brain responds to food, it’s an important piece of the puzzle in understanding hunger and satiety.

So next time you finish a meal feeling satisfied, you might have oxytocin to thank!

References

Kerem, L., & Lawson, E. A. (2021). The effects of oxytocin on appetite regulation, food intake and metabolism in humans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(14), 7737. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147737

Liu, C. M., Spaulding, M. O., Rea, J. J., Noble, E. E., & Kanoski, S. E. (2021). Oxytocin and food intake control: Neural, behavioural, and signaling mechanisms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(19), 10859. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910859

Onaka, T., & Takayanagi, Y. (2019). Role of oxytocin in the control of stress and food intake. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 31(3), e12700. https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12700. PMCID: PMC7217012, PMID: 30786104.

Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M. (2015). Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, Article 1529. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01529