FOR many people, Christmas is all about the food, with pigs in blankets, mince pies, and not forgetting the turkey.
But the huge array of delicious festive delights on offer, coupled with the attitude of eating what you want, can create the perfect formula for overeating.
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This can have a detrimental impact on a person’s health.
First and foremost, it can affect the brain.
According to Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, the brain can be affected in various ways and instigate an unhealthy and potentially dangerous relationship between individuals and food.
One of these ways is reduced brain function.
Read more on binge eating
He told Sun Health: “A Harvard study from 2012 found that overeating could reduce brain function, with high-calorie intake linked to an increased risk of memory loss or impairment in the future due to insulin resistance.”
Prioritising too many unhealthy foods can impact the brain’s hormone levels, leading to imbalances, which Dr Grant said can impact your brain in three other ways.
“It could cause stress, affect moods and disrupt quality of life,” he added.
Overeating doesn’t just affect the brain though – it can make people ill in a variety of ways.
Dr Grant explained: “It can cause people to become nauseous and may also cause acid reflux, heartburn and lead to fatigue.
“High calorie intake can also lead to digestive issues, causing bloating.”
He also warned: “Long-term overeating can increase the risk of developing dangerous chronic conditions, such as heart disease or obesity.
“This is due to the effects overeating has on blood sugar and cholesterol levels, leading to a heightened risk of stroke and hypertension.”
Other health risks of overeating
Other health risks associated with overeating include disrupting the gut’s microbiome, impacting the balance of bacteria.
An imbalance of gut bacteria has been linked to a variety of health problems, including digestive issues like diarrhoea, skin conditions like psoriasis, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
It can also impair the immune system, said Dr Grant, making people more susceptible to other illnesses.
He added: “Additionally, overeating could also impact sleep due to its effect on the digestive system.
“Poor sleep quality can then lead to increased stress, fatigue and an inability to concentrate, affecting people’s daily lives.”
Festive treats
While overeating repeatedly can cause health issues, Dr Grant said doing so occasionally is fine.
He assured: “In fact, around the Christmas period, many people do so without realising it, pushing their boundaries and eating more than they should.
“It’s common for people to do this from time to time, but it’s paramount to maintain a healthy relationship with food and ensure it’s balanced with a regular exercise routine and healthy lifestyle.”
Binge eating vs overeating
Overeating is considered a normal tendency for many individuals, such as having an extra helping at a meal even when you already feel full.
Binge eating is defined as recurring episodes of eating significantly more food in a short period of time than most people would eat under similar circumstances.
The episodes are marked by a lack of control.
Signs of binge eating disorder
If you feel compelled to eat on a regular basis, you may have a binge eating disorder.
This is a serious mental health condition where people eat without feeling like they’re in control of what they’re doing.
The main symptom is eating a lot of food in a short time and not being able to stop when full.
Other symptoms include:
- eating when not hungry
- eating very fast during a binge
- eating alone or secretly
- feeling depressed, guilty, ashamed or disgusted after binge eating
It’s also worth looking out for symptoms in other people.
Someone you care about may have an eating disorder if they:
- change their behaviour or have changes in their mood
- eat a lot of food, very quickly
- try to hide how much they’re eating
- store up supplies of food
- put on weight (but this does not happen to everyone with binge eating disorder)
If you think you may have binge eating disorder, see a GP as soon as you can.
If you’re concerned that a family member or friend may have binge eating disorder, let them know you’re worried about them and encourage them to see a GP.
Source: NHS
