When the lateral hypothalamus is damaged, our brain reduces food and water intake. This can cause certain disorders or illnesses, such as anorexia.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The hypothalamus can cause issues with under- and overeating. The lateral and ventromedial nuclei in this region aid in the regulation of food intake and functioning.  This allows our brain to control the onset and termination of eating. However, damage done to this region can cause our body to stop eating too early or too late.

Certain areas of the brain affect our emotional relationship with food. 

Fuente González, C. E., Chávez-Servín, J. L., de la Torre-Carbot, K., Ronquillo González, D., Aguilera Barreiro, M. L. Á., & Ojeda Navarro, L. R. (2022). Relationship between Emotional Eating, Consumption of Hyperpalatable Energy-Dense Foods, and Indicators of Nutritional Status: A Systematic Review. Journal of obesity, 2022, 4243868. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4243868

Relationship between Emotional Eating, Consumption of Hyperpalatable Energy-Dense Foods, and Indicators of Nutritional Status: A Systematic Review

Damage to the hypothalamus that causes undereating

When the ventromedial hypothalamus is damaged, our body experiences uncontrollable hunger and obesity.

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