How Cooking Decreases Appetite: A Surprising Connection
Cooking is often associated with the joy of preparing a delicious meal and sharing it with loved ones. However, many people notice that by the time they finish cooking, their appetite has significantly decreased. This might seem paradoxical—shouldn't handling and preparing food make us hungrier? Interestingly, there are scientific and psychological reasons behind this phenomenon. 1. Sensory Fatigue One of the main reasons cooking can reduce your appetite is sensory fatigue. When you're exposed to food smells and sights for an extended period, your senses become less sensitive to them. This process, known as sensory-specific satiety, happens because the brain starts to register the continuous exposure to food as a signal that it’s been consumed already, even if you haven't eaten yet. As a result, your desire to eat diminishes. 2. Mindful Focus on the Process Cooking requires attention, focus, and patience, which can shift your mind away from the hunger you may have initially