When an anatomist explains 'dessert is another stomach'

Many of us have had the experience of being so full we can't eat another bite at a course meal or buffet, only to find ourselves munching on dessert. Michelle Spear, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bristol in the UK, offers a scientific explanation for why dessert is a separate stomach.

Why there's always room for dessert – an anatomicist explains

https://theconversation.com/why-theres-always-room-for-dessert-an-anatomist-explains-271562

Regarding the feeling of 'dessert is a separate stomach,' previous research has shown that the brain response was examined in experiments in which mice that had eaten a lot of food were given dessert, and that research has also shown that this feeling is caused by important factors related to satiety.

Scientists prove the existence of a 'second stomach' that can fit desserts - GIGAZINE

Spear similarly explains, 'The feeling of 'dessert is another stomach' is not imaginary, but reflects a physiological or psychological process.' Spear, an anatomist, first cites the structure of the stomach as an example to explain the idea of 'dessert is another stomach'.

Many people tend to imagine the stomach as a bag of a fixed size that fills up when you eat a lot and overflows when it's full. However, in reality, the stomach has a mechanism that allows it to expand and contract, and when you start eating, the stomach undergoes a reaction called 'gastric adaptation,' which relaxes the smooth muscles and increases its volume without significantly increasing pressure.

When main dishes such as meat, rice, and bread, which are hard and require chewing, enter the stomach, the stomach repeatedly contracts strongly to digest them. The stimuli from these contractions are transmitted to the brain via the vagus nerve, and the stomach determines that 'I've eaten enough' or 'Taking in any more would be too much of a burden.' This is the anatomical mechanism of fullness. In other words, being full does not mean that the stomach has reached its physical limit, but rather that the brain has determined that 'it would be too much of a burden to continue digesting any more.' When it comes to soft desserts such as cake and ice cream, which require very little movement to break down, the brain determines that 'I can process this without putting too much strain on myself.'

Furthermore, appetite is not only governed by physical hunger, but also by 'hedonic hunger,' which seeks pleasure and comfort. In this regard, sweet foods, which activate the brain's dopamine system, are effective, so after satisfying physiological hunger with a main course, people may desire an additional sweet dessert to satisfy more hedonic hunger.

Another mechanism is what is called ' sensory satiety ,' where the feeling of fullness from familiarity with the food and the appetite is restored by new flavors. In a 2011 study , one group ate the same dish for five consecutive days, while the other group ate it once a week for five weeks. The results showed that the group that ate it every day ate less. 'As you continue to eat, the brain's response to the taste and texture of the food gradually weakens, and the reward response is activated by adding different flavors such as sweetness and sourness,' is another reason why dessert leaves you with an extra stomach.

Experts explain why dessert is a separate stomach, and share tips to prevent overeating and eat healthier - GIGAZINE

Hedonic hunger and sensory satiety explain the desire to eat sweet desserts, but Spear points out that the timing of satiety also plays an important role in why dessert after a meal feels like a separate meal. The signal of satiety doesn't become stronger immediately; there is a 20-40 minute delay in the hormonal response connecting the digestive tract and the brain. Therefore, immediately after finishing the main dish, complete satiety may not have formed, and during this time, people are more likely to crave dessert as a reward.

In addition to these biological processes, social conditioning may also play a role. Many people associate dessert with happiness because, from childhood, desserts are associated with celebration, generosity, and healing. Cultural and emotional cues can induce anticipation and enjoyment even before the food is served.

'If someone says, 'I can't eat any more,' but for some reason they still try to eat more cake, rest assured that this is not a contradiction. 'Dessert is left over' is a completely normal, graceful function of the human body,' Spear said.