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Sleep, food cravings and taste
Wen Lv1, Graham Finlayson2, Robin Dando1
1Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Appetite
|February 16, 2018
Summary
Sleep deprivation may increase cravings for unhealthy foods by altering taste perception. This study found that increased sleepiness intensified umami and sour tastes, potentially influencing food choices.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Taste perception is influenced by environmental, psychological, and physiological factors.
- Understanding the impact of physiological state, specifically sleep, on taste and food cravings is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of sleep on the human sense of taste.
- To determine if sleep status affects food cravings, particularly for high-fat, sweet, or savory options.
Main Methods:
- 57 healthy college-aged participants underwent sleep tracking.
- Sensory tests were conducted using basic tastants and real foods.
- Food cravings were quantified using validated questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Higher self-reported sleepiness correlated with intensified umami and sour taste perception.
- Participants reporting higher sleepiness also exhibited greater implicit wanting for high-fat, sweet foods.
- Taste responses to real foods were associated with cravings for sweet or savory items.
Conclusions:
- Sleep deprivation may lead to increased cravings for unhealthy foods.
- Altered taste function due to lack of sleep can change the experience of umami and sour tastes.
- Feeding behavior is likely influenced by sleep status, at least partially through taste modulation.
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