Fighting climate change with kindness We should eat less meat to reduce climate change. Recognition of similarities between us and other animals can help us to achieve just that. More effortlessly – out of kindness. Maria Lojowska • June 13, 2022
Why zebras don’t get ulcers, but cows do: the physiological effects of psychological stressors in calves The stress response system is highly adaptive, and has kept humans, zebras, and calves alive through history. But today it leaves humans in distress, whereas zebras are fine. And calves suffer stress as humans do… but for a different reason: humans themselves. Remond Wulff • March 25, 2022
I want to stop eating but I can’t Food is essential for our daily functioning, but what if food becomes an obsession? What if you can’t stop eating, even though it’s the thing you want most? Well, you’re not alone: there are many more binge eaters out there. Joel Zwiep • October 29, 2019
Raise the age limits for junk food advertising How come some people find it easy not to give that fast food joint a second glance, while others find their mouth watering as soon as they see it? And do children find it even harder to resist such temptations? Maybe the answers lie in our brain? Floor van Meer • July 04, 2019
Disgusted by Cheese Sandwiches at business lunches, cozy fondue evenings, vegetarian meals – cheese is everywhere. Scientific research now shows that a substantial proportion of the population are disgusted by this type of food, and that this disgust is reflected in the brain Jiska Peper • November 18, 2016 • 1 comment
Gut feelings The gut is rather a neglected organ in the human body and is mostly known for its role in digestion. However, scientists are increasingly becoming aware of the important influence of the gut system on emotions and related brain systems. Jiska Peper • May 11, 2015
Eating to stop A famous statement of the German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach is "Der Mensch ist, was er iβt" (you are what you eat), but is it really true that the food we eat modulates the way we think and perceive the world? Lorenza Colzato • February 11, 2014
Refueling your mental engine, cheap and easy! Ever feel like your brain is running out of fuel? Our study shows that eating the right food can give you back that edge needed to keep up your great performance. In fact, food is found to be an efficient and easy way to enhance your cognition! Bryant Jongkees • December 16, 2013 • 2 comments
Eating to trust The administration of the amino acid tryptophan (TRP), contained in food such as fish, soy, eggs, and spinach, promotes interpersonal trust. This is the outcome of a study that we published in Psychological Science. Lorenza Colzato • October 21, 2013 • 1 comment