In this BIT: Eating our favorite food makes us happier – not just because of the taste. These are the most popular foods to feel happier, comfort meal ideas, and more.
Did you know that the most common favorite food is pizza? In second and third place, sushi and burgers follow closely. Even if these foods aren’t your favorite, everyone has a certain meal that they enjoy and brings them happiness. But the real question is why?
A study conducted in the Max Plank Institute in Germany indicates that there is a relationship between cravings and the amount of dopamine (a happiness hormone) that is released. This study found that the more you crave a food, the higher the amount of happiness hormones that are released when you eat it.
But, are there popular foods that can give you happiness, even if they aren’t your favorite? Yes! Take a peek at the list below. All of these foods have Levodopa (I-dopa) which is a precursor to dopamine, the happiness hormone.
Secondly, psychological studies have found that when you eat comfort food, it’s not just the craving that gives us happiness, these foods make us happy as they are related to positive memories. When we have a good experience eating certain foods, those foods become associated with that feeling, hence a ‘comfort food’. As a result, many people will reach out for their favorite ‘comfort foods’ when they want to rekindle those happy feelings and feel better.
All in all, there is science behind happiness and food. Eating comfort meals and foods can bring us those nostalgic feelings of happiness. Additionally, there are other foods that can stimulate those good feelings without memories attached to them.
We hope that this inspires you to try some brand new and old favorite happiness foods, bringing you a small bit of happiness.
For more happiness check out our Mood Boost page.
Featuring quick videos created for teens by teens.
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