Comfort food: The psychology around comfort food.

What comes to your mind hearing the words Comfort food?

As I hear these words, I visualise a generous serving of triple fudge chocolate cake oozing with melted chocolate — yum! (just the thought of it is making me drool). The term Comfort food is very personal. It differs from person to person.

Research corroborates that food influences our mental and emotional being. While flavorful spread can become a mood-shifter, your frame of mind can dip after a displeasing meal.

Can you recall any event where after having a filling meal, you feel sated and are bursting at the seams yet miraculously find room for a round of dessert? Amazing right? Psychology tells how our brain functions around Comfort food.

Comfort foods provide a momentary feeling of pleasure. Probably not the best source of energy, but they entice your tastebuds and signal the brain to crave more of it. this contributes to what we all know as binge-eating.

Let us look at reasons why people find comfort food so comforting;

• Ignites Nostalgia:

Comfort foods hold a nostalgic significance in the lives of people. When you eat, the taste buds in your tongue and the smell receptors in your nose signal the brain to retain the memory. Later when triggered, it brings back memories associated with that smell or taste. Hence, you reminisce olden days, and things you hold special like your childhood, or moments spent with loved ones. Comfort foods remind you of personal and social relations and helps you curb sadness and forlorn feelings by recollecting happier times.

• Induces the pleasure-seeking neurotransmitter

Scientific research shows that people gravitate more towards comfort foods during emotional times; stress, sorrow, or happiness. People eat comfort food in celebration. And to find solace when faced with adversity. Comfort foods trigger the brain to release dopamine — the happiness hormone. It influences indulgence in pleasure-seeking activities.

However, this does not reflect the addiction to these foods instead this helps attain momentary happiness. Also, the pleasure experienced during substance abuse resembles the ones felt during comfort food consumption.

• Cultural significance

All around the world, people consume comfort food. Research shows culture and background hugely influence what a person eats. For instance, a person from the Indian subcontinent will find comfort in eating Biryani. On the other hand, his middle eastern neighbor satiates his palate with a bowl of Lentil soup. Thus, comfort food is a very personal experience.

A hypothesis surrounding comfort food is that people usually crave foods containing loads of carbs, sugar, and high calories. Regardless, it all comes down to individual choices, likes, and dislikes. So, what one person finds comforting may not be to the other, based on cultural disparities.

• Provides Solace

As a woman, I am highly emotional and easily surrender to food cravings. Imagine days when I am glum, or the monthly hormone surge has left me emotionally volatile and erratic. I pass my days bingeing on sleep and Netflix, my survival kits being hot chocolate and a pint of huge Baskin Robbin's ice cream.

Research proves that the more vulnerable a person feels during certain times, the more eagerly they drift towards seeking pleasure. The most readily available is comfort food. Therefore, people inclined towards it more.

Regularly eating comfort foods is unwise. However, once in a while indulgence in your favorite food should be fine. Anything consumed in moderation never hurts. Hence, you do not need to banish eating your favorite foods forever. Just remember, moderation is the key.