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Illustration of hunger when losing weight (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The struggle to lose weight is not easy. There is one thing that is most tortured, namely hunger.

This hunger needs to be circumvented when we are in the process of losing weight, such as when reducing the number of calories, or arranging the dining window.

In this case, the researchers said, high-intensity exercise can be an option to reduce hunger for women who are struggling to lose weight.

Based on research results published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, high-intensity exercise can reduce hunger compared to moderate-intensity women's exercise.

In the study, the researchers investigated the influence of the intensity of exercise on ghrelin, the hormone that regulates satifaction and hunger.

Ghrelin works in two molecular forms to regulate appetite, namely acidated (AG) and deacylated (DAG). Higher ghrelin levels are associated with an increase in appetite.

The researchers in a recent study involved eight male participants and six female participants investigating the influence of the intensity of the sport on the ghrelin on men and women.

In this case, study participants were asked to fast overnight and then finish training at various levels of intensity. Researchers then measured blood lactate levels and participants' appetite rates based on their reports.

The results showed that although total ghrelin levels in women were initially higher than in men, there was a significant decrease in AG levels after intense exercises among women.

"We found that high-intensity exercise can further suppress ghrelin levels than moderate-intensity exercise," Kara Anderson, author of the study, said in a press release.

"In addition, we found individuals feeling 'less hungry' after high-intensity sports compared to moderate-intensity exercise," he said.

However, the researchers noted, as this study is based on the size of a small sample of female participants, its ability to assess the difference in impact between genders may be limited.

"Collectively, the results of current studies strengthen data on the role of high-intensity exercises in ghrelin reduction and hunger," the researchers said, as quoted by Antara.

They said that all ghrelin isoforms can be associated with hunger perceptions, but more research is needed to determine whether these relationships differ by gender.

"Sports must be considered as 'drug', whose 'dose' must be adjusted based on a person's personal goals," Anderson said.

"Our research shows high-intensity exercise may be important to suppress appetite, which can be very useful as part of a weight loss program," he said.

In addition to regulating appetite, ghrelin is also important for other functions including energy balance, homeostasis of glucose, immune function, sleep, and memory.