JAKARTA - Weight loss is often associated with a strict diet and exercise. However, the color of the plate used when eating can apparently affect appetite.
A number of studies show that plate colors can affect the perception of taste and the amount of food consumed.
"Light foods or snacks served in red plates tend to be consumed in less quantities. Red colors appear to trigger a hazard response or signal to avoid the food," Dr. Charles Spence, professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, quoted by VOI from the Daily Mail website, Wednesday, April 2.
Other studies also prove the color of the plate affects flavor perception. In 2011, researchers from the University of Valencia asked 51 participants to eat strawberries from white and black plates alternately.
As a result, the mushrooms of strawberries eaten from a white plate taste 7% sweeter, 13% more flavored, and 9% more delicious than when eaten from a black plate.
This is likely because the white background makes food more clearly visible or triggers memories of the previous sweet food experience.
Dr. Spence explained that the human brain tends to remember the relationship between plate colors and certain types of food. For example, ice cream is often served in white bowls.
This finding is expected to encourage food producers to reduce sugar levels in their products while still providing the same taste experience through the use of the right plate color.
In addition, research from Stirling University shows that replacing a white plate with a blue plate can help dementia patients at the hospital see their food more clearly.
As a result, their daily food intake increased by 0.2 kg, and after four months, their weight increased by about 2.7-3.2 kg.
Dr. Spence also stressed that white plates are the worst choice for patients who are malnourished in hospitals, due to the lack of contrast between food and plates that can make them eat less, thus extending their treatment period.
For patients with visual problems or dementia, a colorful plate can help food stand out and be more easily visible.
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