Hunger causes unexpected changes in the body

Hunger doesn't just trigger snacking; it can also alter the immune system, according to a recent study that found that simply feeling hungry alters the number of immune cells in the blood.

According to Study Finds, the study was conducted on animals and shed light on a range of changes caused by hunger in the body.

Changes Caused by Hunger

The changes identified by the research team from the University of Manchester include changes in blood sugar or nutrient levels.

What's new in the research findings is the role of hunger perception, or the brain's interpretation of this sensation, and its impact on bodily functions. It has been shown that what the brain thinks is happening can reshape immunity.

In the laboratory experiment, artificial hunger led to a significant decrease in specific immune cells in the blood, called monocytes.

These cells are part of the immune system's first line of defense and play a crucial role in regulating inflammation.

Satiety Cells

Conversely, when researchers activated satiety cells in fasting mice, monocyte levels returned to near-normal levels, even though the mice hadn't eaten.

These experiments showed that the brain's perception of hunger or satiety was sufficient in itself to influence the number of immune cells in the blood.

Key Findings of the Study

To understand how this axis between the brain and the immune system works, the research examined how the brain communicates with the liver. The research also showed that the liver communicates with the bone marrow—the soft tissue inside bones where blood and immune cells are made.

The researchers found a direct connection between hunger neurons and the liver via the sympathetic nervous system, which plays a broad role in regulating functions such as heart rate, blood flow, and how organs respond to stress and energy needs.