Subjective-Physiological Coherence during Food Consumption in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Subjective–physiological emotional coherence is thought to be associated with enhanced well-being, and a relationship between subjective–physiological emotional coherence and superior nutritional status has been suggested in older populations. However, no study has examined subjective–physiological emotional coherence among older adults while tasting food. Accordingly, the present study compared subjective–physiological emotional coherence during food consumption among older and younger adults. Methods: Participants consumed bite-sized gel-type foods with different flavors and provided their subjective ratings of the foods while their physiological responses (facial electromyography (EMG) of the corrugator supercilia, masseter, and suprahyoid, and other autonomic nervous system signals) were simultaneously measured. Results: Our primary findings were that (1) the ratings of liking, wanting, and valence were negatively correlated with corrugator EMG activity in older and young adult participants; (2) the positive association between masseter EMG activity and ratings of wanting/valence was weaker in the older than in the young adult group; and (3) arousal ratings were negatively correlated with corrugator EMG activity in the older group only. Conclusions: These results demonstrate commonalities and differences in subjective–physiological emotional coherence during food intake between older and young adults.

The Implications of Taste and Olfaction in Nutrition and Health

“…An interesting aspect concerns the association between subjective-physiological emotional coherence and greater well-being, as well as between subjective-physiological emotional coherence and superior nutritional status, in older populations. Accordingly, the study by Saito et al [41] compared the subjective-physiological emotional coherence during food consumption between older and younger adults, by the means of facial electromyography. The results revealed that the emotional coherence between subjective experiences and the facial electromyography (EMG) activity during food consumption was maintained or increased in older adults as compared to younger ones, suggesting that the essential function of emotions is maintained in older adults, which probably enhances the quality of health and life in late adulthood.…”