Minecraft wiki entry for Hunger, associated text: Various levels of player's hunger control health regeneration (or depletion) and the ability to sprint. When hunger is at 18 (), the player's health regenerates. If it falls to 6 (), the player loses the ability to sprint. If the hunger bar is at zero, the player's health depletes. The specific effects are described in the Effects of hunger section. The hunger value does not drain on Peaceful difficulty and regenerates if it is not at the maximum value.