Meal-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system and its cardiovascular and thermogenic effects in man.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic review or meta-analysis methodology.
PubMed 18281067 · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.12.020
What was done
This narrative review summarizes physiological evidence regarding meal-induced activation of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in humans, focusing on cardiovascular regulation, diet-induced thermogenesis, and central integration of visceral afferent signals.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or quantitative outcomes. It states qualitatively that meal ingestion activates peripheral sympathetic outflow through central integration of gut, hepatoportal, and baroreceptor inputs. This response is required for postprandial cardiovascular homeostasis and contributes variable thermogenic effects depending on meal size and composition, with carbohydrates demonstrating the most consistent effect.
Why it matters
Understanding how meal composition influences sympathetic activity may help elucidate the role of chronic adrenergic overactivation in the pathogenesis of obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders.
Limits
As a narrative review abstract, no sample size, search methodology, or primary empirical measurements are provided. The exact magnitude of sympathetic outflow, comparative macronutrient differences, and relevance across diverse patient subgroups cannot be quantified from this text.
Cited by
- supports Eating food activates sympathetic nervous system activity.