Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Cognitive Science

Scientists are finally investigating how breastfeeding alters women’s interest in foods

by Eric W. Dolan
July 28, 2019
in Cognitive Science
(Photo credit: Vadym)

(Photo credit: Vadym)

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Scientists are beginning to examine the impact of breastfeeding on food interests — and now a new study offers some initial evidence that interest in eating specific foods is not driven solely by hunger in women who are breastfeeding.

The study was published in the journal Physiology & Behavior.

“I’m interested in sex differences in ingestive behaviors (like eating), and it always is a surprise to me how little we know about how sex hormones act in the brain to affect behaviors and related physiological systems,” said study author Kathleen S. Curtis, a professor of physiology and interim chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Oklahoma State University.

“This is compounded by the lack of research focused on women’s health during ‘altered’ hormonal conditions like pregnancy, lactation, or menopause. In short, even though women make up more than 50% of the U.S. population, they remain under-studied, and the implications of this lack of research-based understanding for women’s health are enormous.”

During their 6-week postpartum checkup, 64 mothers completed a survey about their interest in eating various foods and their interest in specific tastes.

Both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers were most interested in eating sweet foods and least interested in sour foods. However, breastfeeding women tended to have a greater interest in eating foods of all taste qualities.

Curtis and her colleagues also found that the relationship between hunger ratings and interest in eating foods differed between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. Interest in eating foods was associated with ratings of hunger in women who were not breastfeeding, but not in women who were breastfeeding.

“The foods that breastfeeding women are interested in eating depend on taste, but are less obviously related to how hungry they are,” Curtis told PsyPost.

The new research provides a jumping off point for future studies.

“Surveys are important first steps, but additional studies are needed to determine if interest in specific foods mean those foods actually would be eaten, given the chance. Other questions have to do with whether women’s perception of specific tastes are altered by breastfeeding, and how that may influence their food choices,” Curtis said.

“Why women choose to eat specific foods is critical for understanding body weight regulation. Moreover, women still are the primary shoppers and preparers of meals; thus, for good or for bad, her interests in specific foods also may affect the foods she chooses to prepare for her family’s meals.”

The study, “Breastfeeding and women’s interest in specific food tastes“, Luanne V. Solis, Anne L. Bowes, Dolores Vazquez-Sanroman, and Kathleen S. Curtis.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend
Previous Post

Study suggests anxiety sensitivity influences the interpretation of physiological responses to stress

Next Post

Study finds threats to family predict women’s decisions to volunteer for a paramilitary organization

STAY CONNECTED

Find these awesome psychology shirts and more at the PsyPost Store!

TRENDING

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

Diversity of the gut microbiota is associated with the severity of depression

New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

Study highlights the importance of napping for memory consolidation in early childhood

Nostalgia increases in the wake of psychological distress and serves to relieve it, study suggests

Massive study finds bedtime screen use behaviors are linked to sleep disturbances in early adolescents

RECENT

New study highlights several key predictors of gratitude to God

Women show higher levels of intrasexual competition than men

Breathing exercises show potential in modulating Alzheimer’s biomarkers, study finds

New psychology research reveals the “bullshit blind spot”

The psychology of clown doctors: New study examines humor styles and playfulness

Massive study finds bedtime screen use behaviors are linked to sleep disturbances in early adolescents

Nostalgia increases in the wake of psychological distress and serves to relieve it, study suggests

Heightened food insecurity predicts a range of disordered eating behaviors

Currently Playing

Higher prenatal testosterone exposure is linked to Machiavellianism and psychopathy, study suggests

Higher prenatal testosterone exposure is linked to Machiavellianism and psychopathy, study suggests

Higher prenatal testosterone exposure is linked to Machiavellianism and psychopathy, study suggests

Dark Triad
New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

New study identifies perceived mattering as a core psychological component of happy marriages

Relationships and Sexual Health
Childhood adversity associated with increased emotional response to others’ suffering in adulthood

Childhood adversity associated with increased emotional response to others’ suffering in adulthood

Mental Health
New study sheds light on cognitive mechanisms linked to hypnosis

Chronic intake of refined carbohydrates between meals is associated with decreased cognitive performance, study finds

Cognitive Science
Mindfulness might hinder prosocial behavior among individuals with high intelligence

Mindfulness might hinder prosocial behavior among individuals with high intelligence

Social Psychology
Women who have larger breasts tend to have lower levels of satisfaction with their breasts, study finds

Women who have larger breasts tend to have lower levels of satisfaction with their breasts, study finds

Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.