I stumbled across a very interesting study conducted by the Institute of Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, located in The Netherlands entitled, Food Aroma Affects Bite Size. The study infers that there is an inverse relationship between food aroma and bite size, that is, the stronger a food smell is, the smaller the bite size will tend to be. Ten participants were paid to consume vanilla custard; they were tested 30 times with three aroma concentrations-no aroma, low, and high in a random order. The research did not suggest that less of the foods were eaten, but that smaller bites were taken, in fact it was reported that "the total custard consumption did not exceed that of an average dessert". The study's conclusion is that sensory stimulation-particularly olfaction (sense of smell) plays an important role in controlling bite size.
The findings of this small research could be explored more thoroughly in a larger cohort. Its relevance could translate into aiding in food development. This could very positively affect future food trends that could influence the manipulation of aromas to decrease bite size independent of increasing the amount of calories in food items. The scope of subsequent research is robust; a look at the number of bites taken and satiety(satisfaction) in relation to bite size could provide a rationale for increasing aromatic stimulation and make a strong case for curbing the obesity epidemic from a food science standpoint.
Join me next week for Trendy Tuesdays when we look at Energy Drinks. Is it a healthy food trend?
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