Everyone loves the delicious smells of baking bread or cookies, gardens in the springtime, or fresh fruit ready to eat. But did you know that those smells have a significant impact on your eating habits? This week, Dr. Sandi welcomes Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and expert on the psychological science of scents and smells.

Without a sense of smell, food wouldn't be the same. According to Herz, aroma has such an impact on our taste that it can genuinely make a difference in the enjoyment of eating. Sure, the mouth can taste the five different flavors (salt, spice, sugar, sour, and umami) and feel the texture of the food, but the smell gives us complex flavors and tastes that draw us to our favorite foods. Moreover, food scents drive cravings and hunger, influencing our food decisions in ways you might not believe.

Episode Highlights

Learn why your sense of taste mostly comes from your sense of smell.
Understand why smelling sweets or fast food for a few minutes leads people to eat healthier options.
Get tips and tricks on how you can improve your sense of smell.
Hear about how you can make the most out of your eating experience by adding a bit of mindfulness.

Find the transcript here: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/rachel-herz-074/

The Power of Smell: How Food Aromas Shape Your Eating Habits, With Rachel Herz