Can You Eat Too Much Pizza? Study Reveals How the Body Handles Extreme Overeating

Researchers from the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism at the University of Bath in the UK conducted a study comparing normal eating with “maximal eating”- essentially, eating until you physically are unable to take another bite. They found that healthy men aged 22–37 who participated in the experiment consumed nearly twice as much pizza as they actually needed, and yet, surprisingly, their blood flow and nutrient levels remained within healthy ranges.

This led researchers to conclude that “a healthy person indulging in pizza once a week, even in large quantities, is unlikely to experience immediate metabolic consequences.”

However, they caution against frequent overeating, especially in extreme portions, due to the well-established long-term risks.

Lead researcher Dr. Aaron Hengist explained: “We all know the long-term risks of overindulgence, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but we know far less about the short-term effects of extreme overeating.”

“Our findings show that the body can handle a sudden, massive calorie surplus surprisingly well. Healthy individuals can eat far beyond their normal limits and still manage the initial energy overload effectively.”

What else did the study find?

• Blood glucose levels were not significantly higher than after a regular meal.

• Insulin levels rose by 50% (as insulin helps regulate blood sugar after eating).

• Blood fats (triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids) increased only slightly, despite more than doubling fat intake. This was unexpected, as earlier studies showed blood fat levels usually rise in proportion to fat consumption.

• Gut hormones like GLP-1 and Peptide YY, which stimulate insulin secretion and signal fullness, were the most affected by overeating.

The study also monitored appetite and mood four hours after the massive meal. Participants reported feeling sleepy or drowsy and showed no desire to eat anything else, even sweets.

What the researchers say:

Professor James Betts, who oversaw the study, said: “We know people often eat more than they need, which contributes to the widespread struggle with weight management. What’s surprising is that no previous study measured the maximum capacity someone can eat in one meal to see how the body reacts.”

“This study shows that humans can eat twice the amount it takes to feel full, and the body is still well-equipped to handle that nutritional overload in a single meal. The participants either used or stored the nutrients effectively, so their blood sugar and fat levels didn’t rise much more than when they ate half the amount.”

“The real issue with overeating isn’t an occasional indulgence- but doing it regularly which leads to stored fat and weight gain. For healthy individuals, an occasional food splurge won’t immediately throw the metabolism off balance.”

The researchers acknowledge that this study involved only healthy young men, and they plan to expand their research to include women, older adults, and individuals with overweight or metabolic health conditions.