“I’ll have what she’s having…”
It may be January and some of us are on a health kick but when it comes to going for dinner dates, ordering dessert is the way to win someone’s heart, according to new research. Chocolate tart, apple crumble, or simple ice cream, whatever your dessert of choice, remember to always ask for the dessert menu. Like we needed an excuse…
Researchers at Purdue University in Indiana have found that sweet-tasting dishes make someone more attractive and better yet, order a pudding with two spoons!
The scientists said that the brain scans have previously revealed that similar nervous systems link sweet taste and feelings of love and the recent research has shown again that reveals that a sweet taste and feelings of love share a similar area of the brain.
The study saw researchers describe a dating partner to 125 people. Half were then given a sweet drink while the other half drank plain water. Those who had the sugary drink keener on going out with the potential date and were also more positive about how they thought the date might turn out.
Another study saw 155 people eating biscuits or crisps and it showed similar results. Publishing the results in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the researchers said study reveals that activation of areas associated with sweet taste experiences may be connected with romantic feelings. The hormone that controls the brain’s pleasure centre, Dopamine, may also play a role.
Lead researcher Dongning Ren said: ‘Research shows sweet food taste increases dopamine levels, a key biological substrate of passionate love. Although dopamine is involved in many experiences, it may be part of the link between taste and romantic interest.’
This study backs up previous ones that have proved that just eating chocolate can put you in the mood for love and make you more open to having positive dating experiences. As if we needed any excuses – pass the biscuits!
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