Tag: Sensory specific satiety

According to research by food scientists, people offered a variety of foods can consume up to 60% more calories, illustrating a key principle behind the phenomenon of craving sweets even after a large meal. This complex interplay of biology and psychology explains why there's always room for dessert.

According to recent research from the Max Planck Institute, the 'dessert stomach' phenomenon is not a myth but a real brain-driven mechanism. This happens because the brain's reward system overrides the body's usual satiety signals, explaining why we can eat dessert when full.

Research indicates that many people get stuck in a food rut, often eating from a narrow range of options each week. This phenomenon, and the subsequent question of "why do I get bored of eating the same food," is deeply rooted in human psychology and biology, from evolutionary drives to modern eating habits.

Research has identified a phenomenon called 'sensory-specific satiety' which explains why your appetite for one food, like a savory main course, decreases while your desire for a different food, like dessert, remains strong. This distinct neurological and physical response makes it possible to enjoy a sweet treat even when your initial feeling of fullness has set in.

According to a 2020 survey, 88% of consumers prioritize taste when purchasing food, and the initial sensory experience is a major driver of repeat purchases. This immediate, intense pleasure from the very first bite is a universal phenomenon, and it's backed by a fascinating mix of neurobiology and psychology.

In Japan, a specific word, *betsubara* (別腹), exists to describe a phenomenon known worldwide: finding room for dessert even after a large meal. This concept, known playfully as the Japanese second stomach, highlights a deep-seated cultural appreciation for sweets and a psychological quirk known as sensory-specific satiety.

According to studies, people eating a multiple-course meal can consume up to 60% more food than those eating a single-course meal, demonstrating a core principle of food fatigue. The concept, also known as sensory-specific satiety, explains the common experience of losing interest in a specific food during a meal while still having an appetite for other, different foods. This article explores the science behind this phenomenon and offers strategies to prevent it.

Research shows that people can consume up to 60% more food when presented with a variety of dishes, a phenomenon linked to why you don't quit eating when full and there's always room for dessert. This behavior is not a failure of willpower, but a complex interplay of biology, psychology, and environmental factors that override our natural satiety signals.

While your stomach does not physically expand just for sugar, the feeling of having a 'dessert stomach' is a real phenomenon driven by neurobiological responses. This sensation, known as sensory-specific satiety, explains why a sweet treat feels appealing even after a savory meal has left you feeling full. However, excessive sugar intake can lead to other digestive issues that cause discomfort, leading to the perception of stomach expansion.

The term food fatigue is used colloquially to describe two very different experiences. While one is the temporary tiredness felt after a large meal, the other describes the psychological boredom from eating the same foods over and over.