Looking At Food On Instagram Could Be Making You Put On Weight, Study Suggests

Looking At #FoodPorn May Be Making You Put On Weight
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With almost 70 million images tagged #FoodPorn on Instagram, you don't have to look far to gaze at glorious grub in 2015.

But researchers have suggested looking at digital images of food may contribute to us putting on weight.

A new review of studies in the journal Brain and Cognition suggests "regular exposure to virtual foods" might be "exacerbating our physiological hunger way too often".

In other words, seeing tasty treats on apps like Instagram may fool us into thinking we're hungry. This in turn can cause us to overeat.

The research, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, analysed data from dozens of studies concerning our eating habits.

"It is undoubtedly the case that the food landscapes inhabited by those of us living in the western world today are very different from those that our ancestors had to deal with," the study states.

It goes on to explain that the human brain evolved during a period when food was much scarcer than it is now in the western world.

As a result, our brains learned to enjoy seeing food and feel hungry at the sight of it, as viewing food would likely precede consumption.

This, the researchers suggest, may be why we also enjoy seeing images of food on Instagram and TV.

It is already well-documented that food advertising increases our desire for food, but the researchers behind the latest study have warned that "digital grazing" is now occurring on more platforms than ever before.

"Our suggestion here is that the regular exposure to virtual foods nowadays, and the array of neural, physiological, and behavioural responses linked to it, might be exacerbating our physiological hunger way too often," the study adds.

"Such visual hunger is presumably also part of the reason why various food media have become increasingly successful in this, the digital age."

The study authors have called for more research to be conducted around the ways we now see food, saying: "Given the current obesity crisis, it would seem advisable to pay particular attention to any environmental factor that may influence our relation to food, and potentially sensitise the brain to food stimuli."

Celebrity Instagram Food Porn
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Lauren Conrad is an impressive baker. (credit:Instagram)
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The "Laguna Beach" star also indulges her sweet tooth regularly. Gotta love that. (credit:Instagram)
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Another adorable oven creation from LC. (credit:Instagram)
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Kim Kardashian proves she can cook. That's quite the Southern food spread! (credit:Instagram)
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Everyone's got pregnancy cravings, even Kim. (credit:Instagram)
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You know you still do this to Lucky Charms. Kudos to Kim for being honest! (credit:Instagram)
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Neil Patrick Harris is quite the foodie. This Tex-Mex feast makes our mouths water. (credit:Instagram)
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NPH reaffirms the adage: Your sushi might as well not exist unless you photograph it first! (credit:Instagram)
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Hey Anna Kendrick, can you cut us a slice of that peanut butter pie? (credit:Instagram)
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Anna's culinary combo hits the perfect mark. (credit:Instagram)
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Kendrick whipped up this pumpkin curry. Is there anything she can't do? (credit:Instagram)
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Only Miley Cyrus can eat twerk soup for dinner. (credit:Instagram)
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Beyonce keeps it old school with chicken and waffles. YUM. (credit:Instagram)
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Queen B indulged in some lobster. Decadent! (credit:Instagram)
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We're so jealous of Jimmy Fallon. This Eleven Madison Park meal looks divine. (credit:Instagram)
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Silly brunch from a silly guy. (credit:Instagram)
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Save us a piece of your heart, Jimmy! (credit:Instagram)
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Kelly Osbourne goes traditional with an English breakfast. (credit:Instagram)
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Chinese veggies in bed. Kelly O has the right idea. (credit:Instagram)
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Julianne Hough bites into a delicious French feast. (credit:Instagram)
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Julianne's spin on the classic game day dip, Cowboy Caviar. (credit:Instagram)
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The dancer munches on some fish and chips. (credit:Instagram)
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Jason Mraz shows us paradise on a plate. (credit:Instagram)
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Mraz is a fan of the popular fruit. He even owns an avocado farm! (credit:Instagram)
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Emmy Rossum and an eager guest enjoy a nutritious lunch. (credit:Instagram)
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Rossum gives in to her sweet tooth with cupcake tops. (credit:Instagram)
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Zooey Deschanel's roasted squash is fresh from her garden. (credit:Instagram)
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Her baked goods look as adorable and sweet as Deschanel! (credit:Instagram)
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Jessica Alba is a brunch devotee. (credit:Instagram)
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Alba shows us what dreams are made of -- Wolfgang Puck entrees. (credit:Instagram)
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Oprah goes green with a bountiful fruit and veggie basket. (credit:Instagram)
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The talk show host digs in to a tasty veggie burger and fries. (credit:Instagram)
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Usher is all about R&B (rhythm and brunch). (credit:Instagram)
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Birthday tacos. Looks like the perfect present to us, Usher! (credit:Instagram)
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Justin Bieber goes generic with a black and white sushi pic. The point is to take a photo of the meal BEFORE you eat, Biebs. (credit:Instagram)
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Bieber seems to have an immature palate. (credit:Instagram)
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Drake bosses out with cake. (credit:Instagram)
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Aziz Ansari frequently tweets about his eating escapades. He continues to share epic meals like this seafood po boy. (credit:Instagram)
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The comedian goes big on New Year's Eve with oysters and more. (credit:Instagram)
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Snoop Dogg proves even rappers love a good fruit plate. (credit:Instagram)
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Pimped up chocolates for Snoop's sugar cravings. (credit:Instagram)
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Ellie Goulding takes her gummies to go! (credit:Instagram)
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Goulding's backstage spread hits the right meat, cheese, fruit and candy notes. (credit:Instagram)