top of page
Writer's pictureHollie

Do sours help with psychological disorders?

Updated: Jan 11


Researchers report exposure to sour foods can increase our desire to take a few risks. Risk adverse people, such as those with anxiety disorders or depression, could benefit from eating sour-enriched diets to help boost risk taking behaviors, such as leaving the house or talking to new people.


Risk taking can mean different things for different people; for some bungee jumping but for others it can be leaving the house. While it may have negative connotations for some, risk taking is actually one of the primary behaviors that leads to a happier life.




Sour doesn't provoke people to indulge in reckless risky habits, and may encourage risk-averse people to take new opportunities. People suffering phychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or stress-related disorders could benefit from the use of lemon oils which also had stress-reducing qualities.


Taking risks is part of everyday life. Some people actively pursue risky actives, while others avoid any risk. Risk-taking is a primitive behavior that may lead to a happier life by offering a sense of excitement through self-actualization. Amongst the five basic tastes (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and umami) promotes, risk-taking. Based on a series of 3 experiments, we show that sour has the potential to modulate risk-taking behavior across 2 countries, across individual differences in risk-taking personality and styles of thinking. Modulating risk-taking cam improve everyday life for a wide range of people.




Just like a sensory zap of snapping a rubber band on the wrist to deter anxiety, chewing sour candies is a distraction technique. It shifts the brain's attention from sensations of fear, anxiety, and overwhelm to the vivid, assertive flavor in the mouth.




6 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page