Changes in desire for food sensory attributes according to the arousal levels of negative emotions: Focusing on anger and sadness

Abstract

Food choice and intake can be influenced by emotional state, driving cravings for certain sensory attributes. This study aimed to investigate how negative emotions with different arousal levels, such as anger (high arousal) and sadness (low arousal), affect sensory desire and identify how eating behavior types—external, emotional, and restrained eating—moderate these changes. Angry, sad, and neutral (control) states were induced using video stimuli over three weeks, with one-week intervals. These were presented in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Sensory desire was measured before and after emotion induction. Craved foods under each emotional state were listed and their sensory, emotional, and imagery attributes were assessed using a check-all-that-apply (CATA) protocol. Participants' eating behaviors were also assessed using Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Results (n=114) showed that emotional states, eating behavior types, and their interaction significantly influenced sensory desire, with emotions having the greatest impact. Anger increased cravings for intense flavors and chewing, while sadness increased cravings for rich flavors and soft textures. Associations among sensory, emotional, and imagery attributes were drawn from CATA results. Spicy and stimulating flavors were related to intense imagery and positive emotions with diverse arousal, while creamy and sweet attributes were linked with comforting imagery and positive low-to-middle arousal emotions. Those who exhibited no specific dietary behaviors (n=37) showed changes in a greater number of sensory desires than external eaters (n=40) and emotional/restrained eaters (n=37). These findings provide deeper insights into the psychological factors driving food intake and cravings related to negative emotions and eating behavior types.