Category: Food psychology

According to a 2017 article by Epicurious, some individuals eagerly consume burnt chocolate chip cookies or seek out the blackened edge of a brownie pan. While many instinctively avoid charred cuisine, a specific subset of people deliberately seek out and enjoy the taste of burnt food, a curious phenomenon with roots in biology, psychology, and culture.

According to a 2021 study, excessive ordering is a significant antecedent to food waste at restaurants. We often find ourselves in this situation, asking, 'Were my eyes bigger than my stomach the menu?' as we face a mountain of delicious but uneaten food.

According to a study cited by Harvard Health, the average American consumes around nine pounds of avocado per year, a testament to its popularity. But beyond simple enjoyment, understanding why you crave avocado can reveal fascinating insights into your body's nutritional and emotional state.

According to the World Health Organization, the global mean intake of sodium is more than double the recommended amount. If you've ever wondered "why do I love eating raw salt?", the reasons can range from evolutionary biology to psychological factors and underlying health conditions.

Research indicates that over 90% of people experience food cravings, and an intense desire for a specific item like a hamburger is often more than simple hunger. Understanding what does it mean when you crave hamburgers involves looking at a mix of nutritional, psychological, and physiological factors that influence your body and mind.

Food cravings are a complex phenomenon influenced by a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, with over 90% of people experiencing them at some point. While most people enjoy butter as an accompaniment, a smaller subset is drawn to eating it alone, a behavior driven by more than just taste.

According to research on psychobiology and sodium, the brain's reward system can be powerfully sensitized by high-fat and high-salt foods, creating a strong desire to consume them. This primal mechanism may be the driving force behind your sudden and intense urge for the comforting combination of fish and chips.

According to research from Carnegie Mellon, sandwiches made by someone else can taste better due to sensory-specific satiety, which dulls your appetite for a food while you prepare it yourself. This surprising psychological effect explains why the grass often seems greener on your dining companion’s plate, even when the ingredients are identical.

According to a global survey, around 95% of consumers enjoy hot and spicy food at a mild level or above, but many still dislike significant heat. The reasons for this aversion are diverse, spanning genetics, psychology, and learned behaviors, all of which contribute to an individual's unique perception of spice.

Did you know that the “burning” sensation from spicy food is not a flavor, but a pain signal to the brain? This pain response triggers the body to release pleasure-causing endorphins, which is likely why you love hot food so much and associate it with a satisfying rush.