diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
index cc3965f57..a039169e3 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_hunger/init.lua
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 		local food_level = mcl_hunger.get_hunger(player)
 		local food_saturation_level = mcl_hunger.get_saturation(player)
 		local player_health = player:get_hp()
-		local max_tick_timer = tonumber(minetest.settings:get("mcl_health_regen_delay")) or 4
+		local max_tick_timer = tonumber(minetest.settings:get("mcl_health_regen_delay")) or 0.5
 
 		if food_tick_timer > max_tick_timer then
 			food_tick_timer = 0
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index a78b33e3b..f5743bc1d 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ mcl_creative_dig_speed (Creative mode dig speed) float 0.2
 mcl_enable_hunger (Hunger mechanic) bool true
 
 # Health regeneration delay when hunger bar is full
-# Default:4
-mcl_health_regen_delay (Health regen delay) float 4 0
+# Default: 0.5 s
+mcl_health_regen_delay (Health regen delay) float 0.5 0
 
 [Mobs]
 # If enabled, mobs will spawn naturally. This does not affect