Digestive, cognitive and hedonic responses to a meal.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Digestive symptoms are often linked to gut dysfunctions.
• This study explored the hypothesis that the gut can also generate pleasant sensations.
• The research aimed to demonstrate the hedonic component of the digestive response to food intake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hedonic (pleasurable) component of the digestive response to a meal.
• To compare the effects of a nutrient-rich test meal versus an inert control meal on gastric function and subjective sensations.
• To examine the role of experimentally induced fullness on digestive well-being.

Main Methods:

• 42 healthy subjects participated in a randomized, cross-over study.
• Gastric accommodation, cognitive responses, and hedonic dimensions were measured using 10-score scales.
• Subjects received either a 12 kcal broth test meal or water (control) under basal and induced fullness conditions.

Main Results:

• The test meal significantly increased gastric relaxation compared to the control meal (p=0.002).
• While both meals induced fullness, only the test meal led to a pleasant sensation (digestive comfort increase, p=0.015).
• Experimentally induced fullness improved only after the active meal, not the inert meal.

Conclusions:

• The digestive response to a meal can include a pleasant hedonic dimension.
• This positive sensation is linked to specific conditions, suggesting a nuanced role for the gut beyond discomfort.
• The findings highlight the potential for meals to evoke positive sensory experiences in the digestive system.