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Do you typically prefer a salty bowl of chips over a bag of sweet candy? Or do you prefer sweets over savory foods? Food preferences, specifically whether you prefer savory or sweet foods, not only reveal what we like to eat, but they can also give insights on our biology and personality traits. Link Evolutionary Influences on Food Preference Along with many features of our biology as humans, taste has evolved over time. Our ancestors designated sweet flavors as a signal of energy-rich foods. Savory foods, on the other hand, indicated rich protein sources. Savory food lovers prioritize umami flavors, which are often found in foods like meats, cheeses, and fermented items. Savory preferences can reflect an innate appreciation for nutrient-dense foods ( Revell, 2020 ) , potentially leading to a preference for dishes like a hearty stew or a gourmet cheese platter over dessert. Genetic Influences on Food Preference Relating to evolutionary development for sweet or savory preferences in food, each individuals food preferences may stem directly from your parents genetics. A recent study conducted by the Cambridge University Press connected perception of sweetness as dependent of 75% of a commonly found genetic factor inherited by your parents ( Hwang et al., 2015 ) . A higher or lower perception of sweetness may affect if you are more or less drawn to sweetness. Someone who is very sensitive to sweet tastes may think certain foods are too sweet, for example, making them less inclined to eat sweet foods. Who knew your parents could determine which foods you like? Link There also seems to be a development between food preferences even before a human is born. In the womb, often the food that your mother eats has a higher chance of what you like to eat when you are a child through adulthood ( Kaplan, 2015 ) . Another biological aspect that helps determine food preferences is the number of taste buds a person has. The range of taste buds a person can have ranges from 2,000-8,000 ( Revell, 2020 ) , with lower numbers indicating lower perception of taste and higher numbers correlating with higher perception of taste ( Kaplan, 2015 ) . People with the higher end of taste buds are considered "supertasters." Having more taste buds increases the supertasters perception of bitterness, but salty foods can help mitigate bitter sensitivity. Therefore, people who are supertasters often lean more towards salty foods. Link Personality Traits and Food Choices Food preferences often correlate with personality traits. According to research from StudyFinds, individuals who enjoy sweet foods typically display higher levels of agreeableness and warmth ( Melore, 2021 ) . They may approach daily interactions with positivity and optimism, which makes them likable and easy to connect with. Those who prefer savory options tend to be more adventurous and open-minded. The Latch reported that these individuals often seek out new experiences, whether it’s experimenting with spicy dishes or trying unique flavors like kimchi or curry ( Revell, 2020 ) . Such traits often extend beyond their food choices, leading savory-eaters to explore diverse hobbies or travel to unfamiliar destinations. Key Takeaways Recognizing what drives our cravings can offer a valuable perspective on your own biology and your personality, potentially allowing you to branch out to embrace new culinary adventures. Whether you're drawn to sweet delights like cakes or prefer the satiation of savory meals, appreciating these unique preferences can enhance your understanding of yourself and others around you. References Hwang, L.-D., Zhu, G., Breslin, P. A. S., Reed, D. R., Martin, N. G., & Wright, M. J. (2015). A Common Genetic Influence on Human Intensity Ratings of Sugars and High-Potency Sweeteners. Twin Research and Human Genetics , 18 (4), 361–367.   https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2015.42 Kaplan, A. (2015, September 6). Why You Prefer Sweet or Salty Food | SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy .   https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/09/06/why-you-prefer-sweet-or-salty-food/ Melore, C. (2021, May 15). Sweet or savory? Your snack choice reveals a lot about your personality . Study Finds.   https://studyfinds.org/sweet-savory-snack-personality/ Revell, J. (2020, December 22). The Science Behind Why Some of Us Love Sweet while Others Prefer Savoury . The Latch.   https://thelatch.com.au/why-some-love-sweet-savoury/

Have you ever opened up your phone and found another notification of food become Hepatitis A, Salmonella, or norovirus infected? Unlike on social media where certain food recipes can go viral, food itself becomes viral when it is able to spread foodborne illnesses usually caused by viruses. Bacteria also commonly causes foodborne illnesses. In order to protect public health, we must understanding how food becomes viral, how it spreads, and how to prevent it. Link How Does Food Become Viral? Food can become contaminated with viruses and bacteria during all stages of food production, processing, and distribution (Miranda & Schaffner, 2019) . Generally food be contaminated in several ways, including: Contaminated Water and Soil: Crops irrigated with contaminated water or grown in contaminated soil can acquire harmful pathogens which are passed on after harvest. Improper Handling and Hygiene: Food handlers without proper hygiene practices can transfer viruses and bacteria to food. Cross-Contamination: Using the same cutting boards, utensils, or surfaces for raw and cooked foods can lead to cross-contamination. Other people can also transmit bacteria and viruses to food. That is why it is important to wash your hands before you cook or eat! How Foodborne Illnesses Spread Once food is contaminated, the spread of foodborne illnesses can occur rapidly (Petrović & D’Agostino, 2016) . The National Center for Biotechnology Information  (NCBI) explains several key causes in the spread of these illnesses: Person-to-Person Transmission: Infected individuals can spread viruses and bacteria directly through contacting and contaminating surfaces, objects, or other people. Consumption of Contaminated Food: Eating food contaminated with pathogens can lead to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Not only will you most likely acquire the illness, but you are more likely to spread the illness to others. Global Food Distribution: The global nature of food distribution means that contaminated food can quickly reach a large audience, leading to widespread outbreaks all over the world. Preventing Food from Becoming Viral Preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses requires a multi-faceted approach (Affairs (ASPA), 2019) . Several strategies for preventing food from becoming viral are: Proper Food Handling and Hygiene: Implementing and practicing strict food safety practices can help prevent the spread of viral diseases in the food production phase. Safe Food Preparation: Cooking food to the appropriate temperatures and using separate utensils and surfaces for raw and cooked foods to avoiding cross-contamination can limit the spread of during food preparation. Regular Inspections and Monitoring: Regular inspections of food production and processing facilities can help identify and address potential sources of contamination. Conclusion Understanding how food becomes viral, how it spreads, and how to prevent it is essential for maintaining public health and food safety. By following proper food safety practices and staying informed about potential risks, there can be a significant reduction to the spread of foodborne illnesses to ensure that our food remains safe to eat. References Affairs (ASPA), A. S. for P. (2019, April 12). Bacteria and Viruses  [Page]. FoodSafety.Gov .   https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-poisoning/bacteria-and-viruses Miranda, R., & Schaffner, D. (2019, December). Virus risk in the food supply chain—ScienceDirect .   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214799318300353 Petrović , T., & D’Agostino, M. (2016). Viral Contamination of Food. Antimicrobial Food Packaging , 65–79.   https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800723-5.00005-X

When was the last time you watched a movie for fun? Now, were you also snacking on something as you were watching? Most people say "Yes!" From popcorn and candy at the theater to snacks on the couch, eating while watching movies feels natural. But why do we pair food with entertainment so often? Apparently, humans have a combination of psychological, sensory, and social influences that drive this our movie cravings. Link A Cultural and Social Habit Eating while watching movies is deeply engrained in many cultures. The tradition of snacking at the movies in the United States dates back to the early 20th century when vendors began selling popcorn outside theaters. Over time, it became an expected part of the movie experience ( Geiling, 2013 ) . At home, sharing food during a film can also be a social bonding activity or a gesture of hospitality, reinforcing the habit. A Sensory Distraction One reason we continuously eat while watching movies is that screens can lure our attention, making us less aware of how much we're consuming. According to a study published in the publication Appetite , distracted eating—such as eating while watching TV—can lead to increased food intake because our brains are too focused on the screen to register fullness cues ( Zhou et al., 2017) . One example of this phenomenon is when you look down at your popcorn bucket, realizing you are almost done when it was full just a few minutes ago. Don't worry, everyone has probably been there. Dimming the Lights A general trend showed that people are more drawn to food in darker light. Restaurants use dark lighting to their advantage. Humans often feel more relaxed in dim lighting, which increases our desire to engage in other relaxing activities like eating. Lighting also influences what people choose to eat. Usually, the dark ambiance triggers us to choose more indulgent, delicious foods like movies snacks ( Weiss, 2023 ). Sarah Lefebvre, an associate professor of marketing at Murray State University, conducted a study in 2022 on what she calls "sensory compensation." By sensory compensation, she means if sight is compromised in a darker environment, then one's sense of taste will be more intense as a result. Consequently, snacks are not only more tempting in dark environments, but more delicious when combined with all of the other sensory and social factors of movie watching ( Weiss 2023 ). Conclusion Eating while watching movies is a multi-sensory, psychological, social, and cultural phenomenon. Snacking while watching movies is quite the opposite of mindless but actually biological and behavioral because of a variety of factors that are quite surprising! References Geiling, N. (2013, October 3). Why Do We Eat Popcorn at the Movies?  Smithsonian Magazine.   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-do-we-eat-popcorn-at-the-movies-475063/ Weiss, H. (2023, August 8). The Science Behind Why We Eat so Much at the Movies . TIME.   https://time.com/6302767/movie-theaters-turn-us-into-bottomless-pits/ Zhou, S., Shapiro, M. A., & Wansink, B. (2017). The audience eats more if a movie character keeps eating: An unconscious mechanism for media influence on eating behaviors. Appetite , 108 , 407–415.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.10.02