Scientists Reveal How Emotional State Affects Taste Perception

10 Jul 2015 --- Research by Cornell food scientists reveals how a person's emotional state -- particularly in the competitive, wide world of sports -- affects the perception of taste. In particular, people in negative emotional states tend to crave sweets more than those in a positive frame of mind.

The study shows that emotions experienced in everyday life can alter the hedonic experience of less-palatable food, implying a link to emotional eating, according to the researchers. Dando explained, "In times of negative affect, foods of a less pleasurable nature become even more unappealing to taste, as more hedonically pleasing foods remain pleasurable.

"This is why when the team wins, we're okay with our regular routine foods, but when they lose, we'll be reaching for the ice cream."