Researchers Discover That Music Can Influence Eating Habits
Music plays a significant role in enhancing your dining experience—it can also influence your eating behavior.
According to a new study from Italy, diners who listen to slower music tend to eat more calmly, chew their food more thoroughly, and spend longer at the table.
At the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, researchers conducted an experiment to investigate how music tempo impacts diners’ eating behaviors by evoking emotions.
Music and Emotions
It’s well-known that music can influence our mood, a fact that has been repeatedly observed, confirmed, and quantified by scientists.
The Italian researchers, led by Riccardo Migliavada, who holds a doctorate in ecogastronomy, education, and society, argue that beyond affecting mood, music also has the power to influence our behavior during meals, including taste perception, appetite, and food choices. They reference existing research indicating that background music in restaurants can impact how much patrons eat, how quickly they eat, and even how they perceive the flavor of the food.
Embracing the Beat
The study in Italy focused on the effects of tempo specifically, rather than musical genre, volume, or other factors. The researchers isolated this element because they believe tempo is a key variable that affects eating behavior, influencing the speed of eating, drinking, and meal duration.
Mr. Migliavada and his team randomly assigned 124 participants to two groups: one exposed to fast-paced music at 145 beats per minute (BPM), and another group listening to music at 85 BPM while consuming focaccia bread.
They observed the participants’ eating behaviors through video recordings, leftover food analysis, and a questionnaire.
Individuals listening to faster music (145 BPM) reported feeling more active, energetic, and enthusiastic, while those in the slower music group felt calmer and peaceful compared to the faster music group.
The researchers found that those listening to slower music not only felt more relaxed but also spent more time eating and chewed their food more thoroughly than those listening to faster music, confirming the impact of musical tempo on eating behavior.
They noted, “This is the first study to report that slow-tempo music may increase the number of chews and total chewing duration,” highlighting the importance of chewing in digestion, nutrient assimilation, and brain health.
As the BPM of the music increased, the participants’ food consumption rose while their eating time decreased. However, there was no difference in the total amount of food consumed by both groups.
Chewing food slowly and thoroughly, leading to longer meal times, affects the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, which can be beneficial for weight management.
The researchers stated, “A longer oral transit during chewing allows the sensory properties of food to interact with sensory receptors, serving as essential cues for satiety.” Feeling satiated after a meal can reduce hunger and prevent overeating at subsequent meals, promoting improved eating habits in the long run.