I know the body temperature drops a little, so it is easier to get cold when fasting. But that is kinda obvious.
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Last summer I did alternate day fasting rigidly, and I lost tons of weight, but when winter hit, it was really hard to keep up. I feel like the sunshine makes it easier somehow, but I dunno. Does anyone else notice this, is there a reason for it?
My guess is it has to do with the heat created by digestion. In the winter, I cannot keep myself warm while on a fast. Hot showers, down blankets, wearing layers, slippers. I still cannot get warm. Once digestion starts up again, I’m fine. In the summer, I want all my food digested by bedtime, so I only tend to eat breakfast if I eat. When my body is digesting food in the summer, I cannot cool off, especially while sleeping.
It’s probably levels of higher serotonin and dopamine in the sunnier warmer months. Vitamin D is a huge contributor to our happiness neurotransmitters, and that in turn, makes us less likely to have seasonal depression and emotionally eat.
It’s interesting, because we actually have serotonin receptors in our eyes, and when they register sunlight, they create serotonin. Even just a mere 10minutes out in the sun each day has been proven to be very effective treating many kinds of depression and anxiety, and it is because of the serotonin and dopamine that get produced, and vitamin D has also been a long-standing tool against depression and anxiety too. We love being out in the sun! This makes us feel happy and content. The vitamin D from the sun is the precursor to many bodily functions that enhance our feelings of wellbeing as well. People who don’t get enough sunlight/ vitamin D (like where I live, there are way more wintery days than sunny days) end up with seasonal depression. It’s very common where I live.
Also, on a more communal level, longer days also contribute to our happiness and well-being. We are often running about with more to do, people to see and hang out with, and feeling more active, which gets our endorphins going as well.
Tldr; Anything that makes us happy naturally curbs our appetite, and our chemistry changes through the winter and summer months and reflects this.
There’s often more to do that’s active in the summer, and that can take your mind off food! Plus, early winter (at least in many cultures, and northern hemisphere) is full of lots of food related events.
I believe it has to do with winter depression or “seasonal affective disorder”. If you live far North enough then for several months of the year you are basically a typical night shift worker craving carbs all the time, even if you work days.
On mobile, so can’t look up links right now:
Please check Huberman Podcast number 16, starting at minute 18.
It has to do with seasonal hunger hormone levels.
Actually, just listen to the whole thing.