What really happens when you eat without being hungry?
Eating when we're not hungry seems like pretty innocuous behavior. After all, most of us have done it, and, indeed, many of us do it on a regular basis. This can happen for a number of reasons; we go to the movies and buy popcorn, we eat that last slice of pizza when we don't really need to, or simply snack with friends over drinks. Eating when not hungry is not something we often think about, but how much can it affect our bodies, really?
In this gallery, you'll discover the impact consuming food has on our bodies when we don't actually need it. Click on to learn what happens to your body if you eat when you're not hungry.
Understanding hunger cues
Our body tells us when to eat and when to stop eating. We have two hormones responsible for these cues: ghrelin and leptin.
These hormones rely on each other, but some people do actually build up a resistance to leptin. In addition, for most people it can take up to 20 minutes for the brain to signal that we’re full.
