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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.

Their findings, recently published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, suggest that music has the potential to help individuals modify their eating habits, offering benefits to those with eating disorders, individuals on a diet, or those looking to control their food intake.

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.

A recent music therapy intervention for elderly patients in an Australian hospital discovered that music had a comforting and calming effect, helping patients forget their worries. The hospital staff noted that music therapy sessions positively impacted the mood of their elderly patients.
Classical music, in particular, has been shown to trigger the release of dopamine in listeners, reducing feelings of anxiety and stress and having a positive effect on heart rate and blood pressure.

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.

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They highlight a study where participants perceived food (specifically, chocolate gelato) as sweeter when consumed along with music they enjoyed.
Researchers have termed this concept “audio-gustatory interaction,” asserting that the musical genre can influence the “emotional flavor” of the food people eat while listening to music, impacting their experience and description of taste.
Even individuals undergoing treatment for eating disorders displayed improved eating behaviors when listening to music, as shown in a study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders in January. The study’s 51 female participants reported a positive influence of calming piano music and pop music on their mood during meal times, which can be challenging for individuals with eating disorders.
Dietitians who observed these patients noted improved mealtime behaviors, such as consuming less food, and reducing disordered eating rituals when music was played.

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.



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