Research published in Food Quality and Preference explains that stress triggers cravings for high-calorie foods due to fears of instability.
When under stress, many individuals tend to overeat, often opting for fatty, sugary, or starchy foods. Researchers from Texas A&M International University have discovered that this behavior has an evolutionary basis. Their findings were published in the journal Food Quality and Preference.
The study involved 142 students, each asked to imagine themselves in one of three distinct scenarios. The first group envisioned a calm and secure life with stable employment and confidence in the future. The second group simulated conditions of economic instability, such as job loss or financial hardship. The third group immersed themselves in a dangerous environment, facing threats of violence or other perils.
Following this, participants were shown pairs of images featuring both low- and high-calorie foods. Eye-tracking technology recorded what captured their attention and where their gaze lingered longest. Additionally, students rated the appeal of the food items and completed questionnaires regarding their hunger levels, financial status, and expectations of potential food shortages.
Students quickly noticed and spent more time looking at high-calorie foods. This effect was particularly pronounced in the group imagining economic hardship and future scarcity: these participants significantly more often chose more nutrient-dense foods and focused on them longer. In the scenario involving the threat of violence, no such pattern was observed, and in the safe scenario, some participants even showed greater interest in low-calorie options.
The study`s authors conclude that in situations of uncertainty, the body instinctively aims for rapid energy replenishment. This adaptive mechanism likely evolved to enhance survival during periods of instability and resource scarcity. This is precisely why stress often leads to an increased craving for more substantial and calorie-dense foods.
Previously, American researchers identified benefits of consuming spicy food. It was found that moderate spiciness can slow down eating speed and, consequently, reduce the total number of calories consumed.
