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If you crave chocolates or other sweets when you are stressed out, it may be time to rethink your eating habits. According to a new study, so-called "comfort foods" don't actually make us feel better.
According to a University of Minnesota research team, stress dissipates over time regardless whether you consume such food or not.
They discovered that it is equally effective to simply sit down and take deep breaths.
"Individuals may be giving comfort food ‘credit' for a mood effect that would have occurred even in the absence of the comfort food," said psychologist Traci Mann.
The experiment involved 100 students, who watched an 18-minute video clip that made them feel various emotions including anger, fear, anxiety, and sadness.
They were given a portion of a comfort food of their choosing, including chocolate, ice cream and cookies.
Later, they relived the experience, but were given a non-comfort food such as almonds, or nothing at all. The researchers found out that participants' moods got better over time regardless what they ate.
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