Overeating? Blame Your Brain. A new study from Rutgers found a link between a hormone called GLP-1 and overeating.

By Nina Zipkin

Shutterstock

That thing that happens when you're not really hungry but you go for that third bowl of ice cream? It may actually be beyond your control.

A recent study from Rutgers University suggests that the lack of a certain hormone in our brains could be one reason why some of us overeat.

Researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School found that when they decreased the amount of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the systems of their mice test subjects, the mice were more inclined to overeat, especially foods that were high in fat. But on the flip side, more GLP-1 made the mice less interested in those fatty foods.

Related: While You Obsess About Your Business, Don't Forget About Your Body

In the study, the scientists explained that when looking at the causes of obesity, "feeding behavior" can be divided into two categories – homeostatic, the type of eating to keep your energy up throughout the day, and hedonic, which is more for reward or pleasure.

The authors of the study hypothesize that GLP-1, which comes from cells in your brain and small intestine, can "regulate feeding behavior via signaling pathways within the reward centers of the brain," but that more research is required since "it is still not fully understood how release of central GLP-1 within the brain regulates food intake."

Related: 12 Ways to Eat Healthy No Matter How Busy You Are

In a release from the university, the assistant professor who designed the study, Zhiping P. Pang said, "These are the same areas of the brain that controls other addictive behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse and nicotine addiction…We believe that our work has broad implications in understanding how GLP-1 functions to influence motivational behaviors."

Researchers say the study offers evidence that targeting neurons in the brain's reward circuit may be a more effective option than targeting the whole body with appetite-curbing drugs.

Related: 11 Strategies for Eating Healthy on a Business Trip

Wavy Line
Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Marketing

The Rise of Nano-Influencers: How the Smallest Voices are Making the Biggest Impact

The bigger an influencer is, the more beneficial it is for a brand to collaborate with them, right? Not necessarily.

Business News

'I'm Not a Very Good Businessman': Kevin Costner Is Risking a Ton of His Own Money on New Project

The "Yellowstone" star discussed how he bankrolled his new epic movies — and his accountant isn't happy.

Business News

Woman Goes Viral For Brow-Raising Email Signature About Working Moms: 'Everyone Is Feeling This'

The email signature was created in response to pressure to answer emails within 24 hours.

Management

Which Hiring Strategy Is Right for Your Startup? My Experience Says This One

Startup businesses face a unique environment when it comes to adding the talent it needs during their earliest stages of operations, and every hiring decision is critically important to get right the first time.

Science & Technology

How AI Is Transforming the Accounting Industry — and What the Future Will Look Like

It's time to harness the power of AI and transform bookkeeping.