Does studying burn calories?!

2»

Replies

  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    I don't snack when I study either I don't feel the need to snack, I don't know why.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    I had this same question several months ago in a difficult math class - I was studying twenty or thirty hours a week for it and it felt like marathoning. My research also indicated that there's no measurable caloric difference. I like the earlier posters comments regarding feeling very tired and bored.
  • BrookeBQ
    BrookeBQ Posts: 163 Member
    I am starving when I study too! I want to know why.
  • kaypat09
    kaypat09 Posts: 130 Member
    I spent 12h today with my butt planted firmly in a chair, studying. I ate my usual 1200 cal throughout the day, but my exercise level was the same as watching tv ALL day. In fact I moved LESS than I would at a normal day at work.

    But at the end of the day I was STARVING. And yes I'd been snacking/eating small meals all along. Usually 1200cal satisfies me unless I've been exercising a lot.

    Does just using my brain more than usual actually burn significant calories?!

    I feel like that's a ridiculous question, except that it sort of makes sense to me...

    We were also put in the "hot seat" a lot, and nerves kicked in, HR went through the roof... Is that "cardio" even though no muscles were involved?!

    I didn't read through all of the responses, but I just wanted to let you know that I was talking about this with one of my friends the other day! Even though it probably doesn't "burn calories," every time I study or write a paper, I'm always more hungry. It's not even the fact that I want to eat to distract myself, it's actual hunger. Just thought you should know you weren't the only one :)
  • inside_lap
    inside_lap Posts: 728 Member
    I suspect that your hunger is due to a mixture of bordom and a desire for self-comfort. Stress has a tendency to affect our appetite but doesn't necessarily affect our calorie burn/weight. Well, actually it does but not usually to the extent that people THINK it does. For example, a person that is stressed and overeats will gain weight just like someone who is stressed and responds by not eating (losing their appitite) will lose weight.
  • inside_lap
    inside_lap Posts: 728 Member
    Oh, but yes, it burns calories. The same way that living and breathing burns calories... lol.
  • kennielod
    kennielod Posts: 9 Member
    ive heard that you do
    as your brain is a muscle and youre working it more than usual
    hence why my teacher always used to tell me to eat like carbs before an exam so then your brain would work better :D
  • jennifer_a00
    jennifer_a00 Posts: 186 Member
    I don't think it burns extra calories or anything but I know I get super hungry after studying, or on the days that I have back to back classes at school. I think you can get hungry from mental exhaustion. I know it always helps me if I eat an apple really quick between classes.
  • rosana003
    rosana003 Posts: 4 Member
    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=thinking-hard-calories

    This explains why you are hungry and that in fact you do burn calories during studying sessions
  • teaddicted
    teaddicted Posts: 35
    your brain uses 20% of the total daily energy. so yes
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    As someone who did monk's work for 11 years (sitting at a desk, studying contracts, and comparing contracts, without moving for hours), I can say that this is seriously damaging to your health. If you are young, you can get away with abusing your body, but if you adopt this kind of lifestyle over the long run, you are asking for serious problems. This info-graphic sums it up nicely: http://dailyinfographic.com/sitting-down-is-killing-you-infographic

    The basic question is how do you cope when you are tired? Do you eat? Do you go out for fresh air and exercise? Do you drink?

    Sit and eat, and you'll get fat. It takes a fair amount of self-discipline to program yourself to take a break, and move your body.

    Stand at at a counter to study. Sit on a balance ball. And when you dive down deep in concentration, put on a timer that will bring you out and remind you that you need to walk around the library for 10 min per hour before diving down deep again. And make sure that you are getting at least an hour or two or cardio per day.
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member
    I think the hunger has more to do with your stress level than actual calorie requirement. Studying is stressful.
    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080615142252.htm
  • ljoooo5
    ljoooo5 Posts: 1
    http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Calories-burned-in-30-minutes-of-leisure-and-routine-activities.htm

    This was a Harvard Publication that calculated various activities and the amount of calories that a person burns. Hope this is helpful.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    How many calories did you burn digging up this old thread?
  • drvibz
    drvibz Posts: 3 Member
    Lol I logged in for the first time on the website through my computer while searching answer for my Q ie, "Do you burn more calorie while studying.?"

    Some facts:
    Brain requires near 20% of our calorie intake.
    Brain can only utilize Glucose as an energy source.

    Naturally while you study hard, especially during exams we may require more calories. But, that could be sufficed by lost physical activity due to sitting hours together straight.

    Probably we should intake such foods which are :
    easily digested and quick to absorb > go for carbs
    Low on fat> so that you can have more amount food and feel less hungry

    I always have bananas with milk+sugar ! They are source of quick energy, high in potassium (good for brain)

    If you want to know how many calories one burns while studying check this website, not sure how authentic it is.

    http://www.fitday.com/webfit/burned/calories_burned_Sitting_studying_general_including_reading_and_or_writing.html
  • iloveplumjam
    iloveplumjam Posts: 1
    I am a first year student at medical school and I remember one of my professors telling us that the brain uses a lot of energy when you are actively studying hard. It was a small tutorial and we were like 'I always Im using studying as an excuse to eat' but he disagreed. What is interesting to me is that although I moved less during the last exam period I lost quite a bit of weight. I wasn't particularly stressed about them either, so I guess he could be right. He also says it is a myth that the brain uses only glucose because when your blood glucose runs out it uses cholesterol for energy.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories