Thursday, January 24, 2008

Research question

Edit: Audrey found the links I was looking for; Thank you SO much, Audrey! They can be found in the comments.

I recently read about a study, and I cannot remember where I read it. I was hoping that someone could help me find it. It is possible that I read it in "The Gospel Of Food" by Barry Glassner, but that isn't necessarily so.

The study basically had women eat different foods, and did tests to see whether they absorbed nutrients from the foods. Women who ate the same foods absorbed the nutrients differently based on whether or not they enjoyed the foods. Some of this was cultural; they had women of different cultures eating foods originating in different cultures. The ones they liked best and were most familiar with culturally were the most beneficial for each individual.

I was interested in the study, because it seemed to imply that the enjoyment we get from a food can actually affect its nutritive value. Since our diet-obsessed behavior tends to make people think that enjoying food is a crime, it seems that such a point of view would result in deficiencies--and deficiencies can often make us want to eat, even if more energy isn't the goal in eating, it would be restoring minerals and vitamins that our bodies are hungry for.

Anyway, if someone remembers the study, please give me a clue? I don't have the Glassner book, as it was a library loan (although it's one that I'd love to have at hand, so it's wishlisted), so if you've got it, that might be a good place to start. Thanks in advance for any help :)


Mercurior said...

that may be the study or one like it

its similar to what you wanted. but as a research maniac, not much informatiom i can search or they give a lot of diet sites..

best i can do with the data

Audrey said...

Glassner does mention this study in his book. Here are 2 online places where you can find reference to the specifics about the research:

Hope that helps (and that the linking works)! I've been lurking here for a while and love the way you manage to eloquently express all the things I'm thinking in my head!

RioIriri said...

Thank you both for the links and the praise :) I appreciate it!

Audrey said...

It was my pleasure! :)