Watching Cooking Videos Makes People Eat More Food, Says Study
The researchers also measured a volunteer¡¯s desire to eat with the help of an extensive questionnaire before and after activities.
Watching cooking shows like MasterChef or online cooking videos are surely something we all love doing -- even though we would never really make those dishes in reality. Yet, it¡¯s fun to just look at chefs whip up delicious dishes with their skills.
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However, now a new study has revealed that looking at these tasty videos can actually result in overeating, causing a risk of obesity.
This is according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey. Researchers asked volunteers to do one of the three things -- watch a video of someone making a cheese wrap, make a cheese wrap based on instructions, or eat one made by someone else after a particular activity like colouring a picture.
The researchers also measured a volunteer¡¯s desire to eat with the help of an extensive questionnaire before and after activities.
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Researchers discovered that volunteers watching a video of a wrap being made ate 14 percent more than those in the group who were made to colour in a picture before they were served a pre-made wrap.
Researchers also saw that people who made their own wrap ate 11 percent more food than the colouring group. Even the control group who could directly eat the wrap ate more.
Researchers suggest that doing a distraction activity before eating can help in reducing the amount one eats before a meal. They state that looking at the food being prepared, it raises the thought about food in people¡¯s minds, how much we want it, and how much we want to consume.
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Study author Jane Ogden from the University Of Surrey added, ¡°Preparing food ourselves may have additional effects because it¡¯s multi-sensory. The smells, sounds and tastes of active food preparation tell our body that food is coming. This generates an anticipatory response in both our mind and body, getting us ready to eat.¡±
She also states that people should switch to watching videos for healthier foods instead of junk food to motivate and tempt them to eat healthier.
