Feeling hungry after exercise does not mean increased appetite, experts say

Nutrition experts have confirmed that feeling hungry after exercise does not necessarily mean your appetite has increased because of the workout.

Studies indicate that appetite is temporarily affected by physical activity, while the energy expended during exercise may lead to genuine hunger later on, according to Russia Today.

Exercise temporarily suppresses appetite by lowering levels of ghrelin, the hormone associated with hunger, and increasing hormones that promote a feeling of fullness. However, this effect usually fades within 30 to 90 minutes, after which appetite returns to normal.

This hunger may result from the body using up more energy, prompting a later increase in hunger to restore energy balance. Other factors can also lead to eating more, such as feeling that exercise "deserves" a reward, or confusing thirst with hunger due to fluid loss.