Food Images Affect Taste Perception

Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland conducted a study in which scientists would show people images of high-calorie foods, such as pizza or pastry, or low-calorie foods like green beans before feeding study participants fairly neutral-tasting foods. The participants reported enjoying the taste more after looking at the high-calorie items.

The researchers also used brain-imaging technology to identify previously undiscovered mechanisms of visual-gustatory sensory interactions. Together, the data suggests that the visual appeal of food items is much more important than previously thought.

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