The summary provided:
In the most recent study, 48 college students donned headphones playing either loud music, quiet music, or silence. Then they were given a selection of potato chips and cookies and told to chow down. Those listening to the louder noise rated both the salty snacks as not so salty and the cookies as not so sweet even though the snacks were the same for all groups.
Do note that this listserv provides information at the lay level, so full citation info is missing. I gather that this article (subscription only, I think) is the one intended, however:
Woods et al. 'Effect of background noise on food perception.' Food Quality and Preference 22(1), Jan 2011, pp 42-47.
From the abstract,
"We conclude that background sound unrelated to food diminishes gustatory food properties (saltiness, sweetness) which is suggestive of a cross-modal contrasting or attentional effect, whilst enhancing food crunchiness."
So you don't taste sweet or salty as well if there are loud noises while you're eating as you do in a quiet environment, but your crunchy food will seem even crunchier.
The full article is rich in detail about exactly how they performed the experiments, as well as some speculation on how noise affects taste perception, but I won't copy the whole thing here. Because that would be illegal.
I guess the takeaway advice is, go somewhere quiet to enjoy your savory pickles and delicious desserts, but if you have to eat something you hate, turn the music way up.
"Shh. This cake is really good."
vs.
"WHAT'S THAT? NO, HONEST, I LOVE THIS DISH! I JUST REALLY NEED TO HEAR THE BASS ON THIS SONG!"
.
No comments:
Post a Comment