Your body always tries to use the least energy possible to do what it needs.
Scientific Claim
Human physiology is evolutionarily optimized to minimize energy expenditure during metabolic processes.
Original Statement
“Our bodies want efficiency. They try to find it.”
Context Details
Domain
general-health
Population
human
Subject
Human physiology
Action
is optimized to
Target
minimize energy expenditure
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (3)
Human locomotion over obstacles reveals real-time prediction of energy expenditure for optimized decision-making
People naturally choose the easiest way to walk over obstacles to use the least energy, even before they get there — showing our bodies are built to save energy.
The study says our bodies have an old survival trick that slows down metabolism when we eat too much sugar, to save energy—this shows our bodies are built to use as little energy as possible when times are tough.
When people use a special ankle brace that helps them walk, they use less energy — this shows our bodies naturally try to save energy when they can.
Contradicting (1)
Effects of fructose-containing caloric sweeteners on resting energy expenditure and energy efficiency: a review of human trials
The study found that fructose (a type of sugar) wastes more energy when the body processes it, which means our bodies aren't perfectly tuned to save energy — contradicting the idea that we're evolutionarily optimized to use as little energy as possible.