Eating this food makes you happier, according to science

By Renaud Gallo

Bolognese, carbonara, pesto… Almost everyone loves to eat pasta, sometimes several times a week. Moreover, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Behavior and Brain Laboratory at the IULM Free University of Languages ​​and Communication in Milan, eating pasta makes you happy.

Why does pasta make you happy?

To achieve this result, specialists analyzed the emotional reaction and degree of involvement of 40 people without gluten intolerance, aged 25 to 55 years, while enjoying a pasta dish. Thus, the sample members confirmed that this experience created a positive emotional and cognitive state in them. While the majority of participants prefer to cook pasta when they feel “happy,” 40% of them consider this dish “comforting and good for their morale.”

But why does pasta bring so much pleasure? This food contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce a neurotransmitter called serotonin, or the “happiness hormone.” The latter “is involved in regulating behavior, mood, anxiety, and even learning.” They will also be involved in motivation and decision-making, as defined by the Brain and Spinal Cord Institute. What if we eat pasta? Go to your stove!