Abstract
This review summarizes current studies on the psychological effects of sweet taste and its role in overweight and obesity. Recent psychological studies demonstrate intriguing relationships between the experience of sweet taste and social perceptions and behavior. For example, studies show that experiencing sweet taste affects “helping behavior” or interest in initiating a romantic relationship. Furthermore, given that the role of sweet taste in obesity has been suggested, we reviewed studies on the relationship between sweet taste preference and eating behavior, thereby examining the role of sweet taste (and the preference for it) in the global rise of overweight and obesity in adults and children. Finally, we provide an outlook on future research perspectives on the psychological effects of sweet taste, and suggest some fundamental issues that future research should address to help provide a comprehensive understanding of how sweet taste and sweet taste preference affect our thinking and eating behaviors.
Highlights
A Psychological View of TasteRecent theoretical considerations suggest that our cognitions may not be independent from our senses [1]
This review summarizes current studies on the psychological effects of sweet taste and its role in overweight and obesity
We provide an outlook on future research perspectives on the psychological effects of sweet taste, and suggest some fundamental issues that future research should address to help provide a comprehensive understanding of how sweet taste and sweet taste preference affect our thinking and eating behaviors
Summary
Recent theoretical considerations suggest that our cognitions may not be independent from our senses [1]. Whereas the above-mentioned studies point to a relationship between, for example, bitter taste and feelings of moral disgust, other taste types seem to affect cognition and emotional behavior beyond moral thinking. In contrast to the link between a bitter taste and moral perception, the experience of a sweet taste has been reported to activate mindsets related to prosocial behavior, romantic feelings and approaching attitudes. The articles on psychological effects of sweet taste address a specific audience in the field of psychology; a narrative review for a broader audience may be helpful to enhance our understanding of psychological mechanisms related to the consumption of sweet foods This understanding is important in respect to its relationship with overweight and obesity in the present day. For choosing articles with respect to the relationship between sweet taste preference and obesity, we examined articles based on a search strategy using search terms sweet AND taste AND preference AND (obesity OR overweight)
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