Be careful what you watch before heading to the grocery store!
Researchers in the Netherlands and the U.S. concluded that consumers who recently thought about death wanted to buy and eat more than those who didn't.
In a new joint study by A.S.U. and Erasmus University Rotterdam, some participants were asked to write on their feelings about their own deaths. A control group of participants were asked to write about a painful medical procedure. Sounds like kind of a depressing day at the lab, right?
Well...at least there were cookies! Researchers kept track of the number of cookies each test subject ate, and asked them to check off items to buy on a grocery list. Those who had to write about their deaths not only wanted to buy more items, they also ate more treats.
Apparently, when we're forced to face our own mortality, we do whatever we can to "escape from self-awareness." Taking a cue from any dumped chick in a romantic comedy, they found that one of the easiest ways to let go of the present is, of course, through food.
So if you're watching your weight, try to steer clear of 48 Hours Mystery or CSI before heading out to dinner.
via EurekAlert
