Research

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Exposure to digital images of appetizing food (visual hunger) triggers neural, physiological, and attentional responses that increase food craving and consumption, potentially exacerbating obesity.

Be aware that scrolling through food images on social media or watching cooking shows can trigger physiological hunger responses and increase your likelihood of overeating when you do consume food. If you are trying to manage your weight, consider limiting exposure to highly appetizing food imagery, especially when you are already hungry.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
We review the growing body of cognitive neuroscience research demonstrating the profound effect that viewing such images can have on neural activity, physiological and psychological responses, and visual attention, especially in the 'hungry' brain.
Charles Spence et al. · Brain and Cognition · 2015

Why this rating

Based on multiple neuroimaging studies (fMRI, PET, EEG) and behavioral experiments cited.

Source

Eating with our eyes: From visual hunger to digital satiation

Charles Spence et al. · Brain and Cognition · 2015

narrative_reviewCited 490×
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