According to a new study by Ryuzaburo Nakata, University of Nagoya (Japan), eating in front of the mirror not only helps us to avoid a lack of appetite, but also to make the food taste more tasty.
Previous research has found that people who eat together eat more than those who eat alone. This time, the help comes from the mirror, which according to scientists, can be of great help for older people who eat alone. According to Nakata, “our findings suggest a possible approach that may increase the attractiveness of food and the quality of life of older people who eat alone, such as those who have suffered some recent loss or are far from their loved ones” .
To reach these conclusions, the researchers had 16 volunteers (a very small sample) with a mean age of 68 years. They were asked to eat in front of a mirror and then, in front of a white wall, popcorn with salt or caramel. The experiment was then repeated with younger people, with a mean age of 21 years. In addition, volunteers had to answer several questions about their feelings while eating popcorn in the different scenarios.
Based on their responses, the researchers found that both groups (older and younger) the meal time had become more enjoyable when they did it in front of the mirror
