Tag: Pleasure eating

According to research, humans have been driven to seek out high-calorie, palatable foods since the time of hunter-gatherers, a primal survival instinct. However, in modern, food-abundant societies, this instinct has evolved into what is known as 'hedonic eating,' or consuming hedonic foods purely for pleasure, often without physiological hunger.

According to a 2023 study published in the journal *BMC Psychology*, 51.3% of surveyed young adults had moderate levels of hedonic hunger, demonstrating a strong desire for palatable foods rich in sugar, salt, and fat. A hedonic food is defined by its ability to stimulate the brain's reward system, motivating consumption purely for pleasure rather than to satisfy a physical need for energy.