It is commonly accepted that consuming meals at a rapid pace can lead to overeating. Research has implicated the rate at which one regularly eats meals to be positively related to obesity. A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism investigated this theory by measuring subjective post-meal appetite, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) digestive hormone release in 17 healthy adult male volunteers. “Our study provides a possible explanation for the relationship between speed eating and overeating by showing that the rate at which someone eats may impact the release of gut hormones that signal the brain to stop eating,” explains Alexander Kokkinos, the lead author of the study.

The participants consumed 300ml of ice cream (675 kcal) within either a 5 minute or 30 minute period. Researchers took blood samples to measure glucose, insulin, plasma lipids, and gut hormones before the treatment meal and at 30 minute intervals after eating commenced, for a period totaling 210 minutes. Subjective feelings of hunger were also assessed at the same time intervals using a visual analog scale. The subjects who took 30 minutes to finish the meal had elevated concentrations of PYY and GLP-1 and a more pronounced perception of satiety following consumption when compared to the group who ate the meal quickly. It can be concluded from this particular study that eating at a moderate pace leads to greater gut hormone response, and therefore may lower the frequency of overconsumption.

Overeating can be the result of various physiological or psychological factors associated with dynamics seen in modern culture. Fast-paced routines and an attitude that demands instant gratification predominates the American culture; leading many to view eating as a necessary evil rather than timely process. Fast and convenience food has become a staple nutrient source for many individuals who must constantly eat on the go and can find minimal spare time to cook. Furthermore, eating on the go usually correlates with hasty consumption. Based on the information presented by the study, it is optimal to consume meals at a moderate pace whenever possible. Modern life may have changed what the human digestive tract deals with on a regular basis, but not how it operates.