Reversal of Conditioned Food Aversion Using a Cognitive Intervention: A Sham-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience of eating behavior
• Cognitive psychology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Aversive conditioning diminishes the pleasure derived from comfort foods.
• Understanding how to reverse this learned aversion is crucial for restoring positive eating experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a cognitive intervention in reversing aversive conditioning of a comfort meal.
• To determine if this intervention can restore the hedonic (pleasurable) postprandial (after-meal) response.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind study involving 12 healthy women.
• Aversive conditioning was induced by a masked fat overload preceding meal re-exposure.
• The cognitive intervention involved disclosing the conditioning paradigm to the test group.

Main Results:

• The comfort meal initially provided a rewarding experience, which was impaired by aversive conditioning.
• Cognitive intervention successfully increased meal desire and enjoyment, improved digestive wellbeing and mood.
• Intervention also reduced discomfort and postprandial fullness, restoring the meal's hedonic value.

Conclusions:

• A mild, short-term aversion to a comfort meal can be reversed with a cognitive intervention in healthy women.
• This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential of cognitive strategies in modulating food-related responses.