How Flavor Affects Satisfaction

Have you ever wondered why sometimes you're satisfied after a big meal and sometimes you're not? We tend to be drawn to foods that we think taste good, but did you know that the taste and flavors of your food can actually have an impact on how satisfied you feel and can have a positive impact on your health? (contemplative tones) Hi, I'm Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, author and professional chef. The sense of taste is important from an evolutionary perspective, allowing us to determine if something is safe to eat, or if it may harm us. Beyond that, fragrant seasonings can activate something that researchers call the satiety cascade. This is a fancy way of saying that the sight, smell and taste of foods while they're in the mouth play a major role in how satisfied you feel after a meal, regardless of how much food you eat. Here are a few of my favorite flavor-packed ingredients that can improve your satisfaction and your health. (gentle music) Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices. It is what we call a warming spice, part of a group which includes other spices like nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, black pepper and cardamom. This moniker means exactly what you think. These spices can increase body temperature and improve blood circulation, and are great to use whenever you're feeling like you could use some warming up. In addition to circulation, cinnamon is great for brain health and memory. Research shows that when we eat this anti inflammatory antioxidant-containing spice, it breaks down into a compound called sodium benzoate, which helps us learn and form new memories. Flavor-wise, cinnamon lends sweetness to any dish, so I love to use it when I've got a sweet tooth. Top off your overnight oats, chia pudding, or even your morning coffee with a sprinkle of cinnamon for just the right touch of natural sweetness without adding any sugar. Chili powder, also known as cayenne pepper, is another fantastic spice to use that can add a lot of flavor to your food. The magic of chili powder lies in a compound called capsaicin. while capsaicin is the part of chili powder that makes it spicy, it also has anti inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties that make chili powder a healthy seasoning option. Thanks to capsaicin, chili powder can decrease swelling, boost your metabolism and help improve your sleep. I love using it to season roasted vegetables or add to a warm soup. Salt is so much more than a seasoning. Dietary salt is a great source of sodium, which is a mineral our bodies need for optimal electrolyte balance. Sodium gets a bad rep when it comes to conditions like hypertension, but it's actually essential for fluid balance and helps our bodies to function normally. Salt is one of our five basic tastes, the others being sweet, sour, bitter and umami. Salt can be used to enhance the umami, or how savory dish tastes, and could also help...