feeding stimulant
Quick Summary
A feeding stimulant is a chemical that encourages an animal to eat. These substances, often nutrients like carbohydrates and amino acids, are detected through taste and smell. While phagostimulants generally signal the presence of nutrients, they don't solely determine an animal's diet. Instead, an animal's food choices are largely influenced by secondary plant compounds that can act as deterrents or, in some cases, as essential cues for specific food sources. For example, insects may be attracted to sulfur compounds in plants they habitually feed on. In humans, artificial sweeteners are used as feeding stimulants that taste sweet but don't contribute to fat storage.123
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chemoreceptionFood additivesSugars are phagostimulants; however, sugars and especially complex carbohydrates (e.g., starch), from which simple sugars may be derived in the oral cavity, are a source of fats, the primary storage form of carbohydrates. The accumulation of these fats can lead to obesity. As a result, humans have…
Read MoreSugars are phagostimulants; however, sugars and especially complex carbohydrates (e.g., starch), from which simple sugars may be derived in the oral cavity, are a source of fats, the primary storage form of carbohydrates. The accumulation of these fats can lead to obesity. As a result, humans have…
Read More- chemoreceptionPhagostimulation
All plants contain carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and various lipids that are potential nutrients for animals. Some of these compounds can be tasted by animals and generally stimulate feeding and thus are called phagostimulants (based on the Greek phagein, meaning “to eat”). In general,…
Read MoreAll plants contain carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and various lipids that are potential nutrients for animals. Some of these compounds can be tasted by animals and generally stimulate feeding and thus are called phagostimulants (based on the Greek phagein, meaning “to eat”). In general,…
Read More