Nutritional Psychology

 When Our Eating Experience Falls Short, Do We Eat More to Compensate? Summary A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Attitudes and Social Cognition shows that when people expect to enjoy a pleasurable experience—such as eating a meal—but feel less enjoyment than anticipated because they were distracted, they tend to compensate by consuming more. This compensation often appears as increased snacking or engaging more frequently in other hedonic activities. Hedonic Consumption and Overconsumption Hedonic consumption refers to engaging in activities for sensory pleasure, fun, or enjoyment. While this is a normal and essential part of psychological well-being, it can sometimes lead to hedonic overconsumption , meaning excessive engagement in pleasurable activities (e.g., overeating, gaming, or staying up late), which can negatively affect health and daily functioning. Traditional explanations point to low self-control as the m...

  Women who eat healthier and reduce sugar intake tend to age more slowly A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how diet—specifically added sugar intake and overall dietary quality—relates to biological aging in women. Using data from 342 midlife women (ages 36–43) participating in a long-term health study, researchers analyzed food intake and DNA methylation patterns to estimate epigenetic age , a measure of how quickly the body is aging at the cellular level. Healthier Eating Linked to Slower Aging Women who followed healthier dietary patterns had lower epigenetic age compared to their chronological age, meaning their cells appeared to age more slowly. The strongest link was seen with the Alternate Mediterranean Diet , which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and healthy fats. Other dietary indices showed similar—but slightly weaker—trends in the expected direction. Added Sugar Intake Linked to Slightly Faster Aging Participants wh...

Social Isolation is Associated With Altered Neural Reactivity to the Sight of Food Summary A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how perceived social isolation affects the brain’s response to food and related eating behaviors in women. Researchers found that women who felt more socially isolated showed altered neural activity when viewing pictures of food , particularly in brain networks involved in appetite, motivation, decision-making, and attention (default mode, executive control, and visual attention networks). The study included 93 women aged 18–50 . Participants completed assessments of loneliness, diet quality, eating behaviors, food cravings, food addiction , resilience, and mental health . They also underwent fMRI scans while viewing images of sweet, savory, healthy, and unhealthy foods. Key findings showed that women with high perceived loneliness: Had higher body fat percentages Consumed lower-quality diets Reported more emotional and reward-driven e...

 Gut Microbiota Regulates the Diet-Anxiety Relationship Summary A new conceptual paper in Frontiers in Nutrition examines how gut microbiota influence the relationship between diet and anxiety. Drawing on 50 prior studies, the authors propose that gut microorganisms act as a key mediator linking dietary patterns to both anxiety symptoms and emotional eating behaviors. The paper highlights that anxiety not only affects what people eat but also creates a feedback loop that reinforces unhealthy dietary choices. Stress-induced eating, for example, leads individuals to choose foods high in sugar, trans fats, and additives. These foods activate reward circuits in the brain similar to addictive substances and contribute to inflammation, altered gut microbiota , and changes in emotional regulation. The authors describe several biological pathways connecting diet, gut microbes, and anxiety. These include modulation of the autonomic and enteric nervous systems, stress-related signaling t...

People Choose Healthier Food After Experiencing Nature A new series of five experiments, published in Communications Psychology , reveals a fascinating pattern: when people spend time in nature—or even just imagine it—they tend to choose healthier foods. This effect appeared across several countries, different types of foods and beverages, and even when participants simply viewed photos of natural environments. These findings highlight a powerful connection between nature exposure and dietary choices , suggesting that even brief moments with nature may motivate healthier eating. 🌿 Why Nature Matters for Health Nature has long been associated with better health and emotional well-being. Research consistently shows that spending time in green spaces—such as parks, forests, and gardens—is linked to: better overall health lower cardiovascular mortality (Gascon et al., 2016) improved cognitive development in children better psychological well-being (Dadvand et al., 2015; M...

  Chronic Insomnia and Ultra-Processed Foods: A Hidden Nutritional Psychology Connection Sleep plays a critical role in regulating not only mental and emotional health but also our relationship with food. When sleep becomes disrupted — especially in the case of chronic insomnia — the body and brain enter a state of imbalance that often manifests through changes in eating behavior. Emerging research in nutritional psychology has uncovered a striking pattern: people with chronic insomnia are more likely to consume ultra-processed foods , such as sugary snacks, packaged meals, and soft drinks. This connection sheds light on how insufficient sleep can alter appetite, reward pathways, and emotional regulation. 🌙 How Chronic Insomnia Affects the Brain and Appetite Chronic insomnia disrupts the balance of key hunger and satiety hormones. When sleep deprivation becomes long-term, the body produces more ghrelin (the hormone that increases hunger) and less leptin (which signals ful...