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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

Published on: October 17, 2018

Physiological responses to maximal eating in men.

Aaron Hengist¹, Robert M Edinburgh¹, Russell G Davies¹

¹Department for Health, University of Bath, BathBA2 7AY, UK.

The British Journal of Nutrition

|April 7, 2020

Summary

Healthy men can consume double the energy intake until maximal fullness compared to comfortable fullness. Maximal eating significantly impacts metabolic and appetite hormones, leading to increased lethargy.

Keywords:

Appetite Glucose Insulin Maximal eating Metabolism Postprandial reponses TAG

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Last Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans

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Published on: October 17, 2018

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Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

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Published on: May 8, 2018

Area of Science:

Metabolic and Endocrine Responses
Appetite Regulation
Human Physiology

Background:

Understanding energy intake regulation is crucial for managing obesity and metabolic disorders.
The physiological responses to extreme overeating are not fully elucidated.
Previous research has primarily focused on moderate meal sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the metabolic, endocrine, appetite, and mood changes following a maximal eating occasion compared to eating until comfortably full.
To determine the capacity for energy intake at a single meal in healthy men.
To assess the body's regulatory mechanisms in response to acute overconsumption.

Main Methods:

A randomized crossover study involving fourteen healthy men.
Participants consumed a standardized mixed-macronutrient meal (pizza) in two conditions: ad libitum (comfortably full) and maximal (unable to eat more).
Measurements included serum insulin, glucose, triglycerides, appetite hormones (GLP-1, GIP, PYY, ghrelin), and mood assessments.

Main Results:

Energy intake was approximately double in the maximal trial (3113 kcal) versus the ad libitum trial (1584 kcal).
Maximal eating led to a 1.5-fold increase in insulin and triglyceride incremental area under the curve (iAUC), with no significant difference in glucose iAUC.
Increases in GLP-1, GIP, and PYY were observed in the maximal trial, while ghrelin decreased similarly in both, but with a lower AUC in maximal eating. Lethargy was significantly prolonged.

Conclusions:

Healthy men possess the capacity to consume twice the energy required for comfortable fullness in a single meal.
Postprandial glucose regulation is robust even after acute overeating, likely supported by elevated insulin levels.
Maximal eating significantly alters hormonal profiles and negatively impacts mood, notably increasing lethargy.