Study Reveals Listening to Classical Music Influences Food Choices

Exploring how music could promote healthier eating, a new study has found that music genres can affect brain activity and overall food intake

Titled “Individuals’ Food Preferences Can Be Influenced by Music Styles: An ERP (event-related potential) Study,” this recent study was conducted by researchers from the Civil Aviation University of China, Southwest University, and University College London. 

Among the contributors included Dingyue Tian, Ziyuan Xu, Han Yan, Bijie Tie, Wen Zhao, Yuanluo Jing, Yazhi Pang, Xiaolin Liu, Jia Zhao, and Yong Liu, whose primary aim was to investigate the relationship between music style and the choice of high-calorie versus low-calorie foods.

Focusing on how music genres such as classical, jazz, rock, and rap can affect food preferences, the study pinpoints music’s potential effects on encouraging healthier eating habits. 

This study used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the brain activity of 27 participants — focusing on amplitudes associated with attention, emotional response, and decision-making. 

While being exposed to either classical, jazz, rock, or rap music while making food choices, the participants revealed that they were more likely to choose high-calorie over low-calorie foods while listening to jazz music; and participants who listened to classical music preferred lower-calorie foods.

The participants’ brain activity measured by EEG showed different responses to different types of music. 

When listening to rock music, participants paid the most attention to food, while classical music made them pay the least attention. Classical music also triggered stronger emotional responses related to food choices, while jazz music helped with decision-making and controlling choices. 

“Food preferences are one of the most important factors in disordered eating,” the researchers explained. “Exploring the food preferences and their influence factors may pave the way for healthy eating. 

“[They can also] be influenced by internal psychological factors and external factors … Music, as an external factor that impacts individuals’ food preferences, is increasingly being valued by individuals,” they added. “Our study illustrates the impact of various music genres on food preferences. Classical music emerges as a potential influence of healthy eating habits.”

You can learn more about the study here.