The stomach's response to unappetizing food: cephalic-vagal effects on gastric myoelectric activity.
The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of sham feeding food that was perceived as unappetizing on the cephalic-vagal reflex as measured by changes in gastric myoelectric activity. Thirty-eight healthy human participants experienced one of two conditions: (i) an appetizing sham feeding condition in which participants chewed and expectorated two cooked frankfurters, and (ii) an unappetizing sham-feeding condition in which participants chewed and expectorated two cold tofu frankfurters. All participants were asked to chew each mouth-full of food 6-7 times and to be very careful not to swallow any of the food. Electrogastrograms (EGGs) were recorded for 10 min prior to, during, and for 15 min after sham feeding. A questionnaire was given to each participant after the procedure as a manipulation check and to assess food palatability. Results from the questionnaire showed, as expected, that the cooked frankfurters were significantly more appetizing than the cold tofu frankfurters (P < 0.01). In the group sham fed appetizing food, 3 cycles per minute (cpm) power increased during sham feeding, but the change was not significant; however, 3 cpm power decreased in the group sham fed unappetizing food. This difference was significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the cephalic-vagal reflex, as measured by power in the 3 cpm frequency region of the EGG, is sensitive to the subjective palatability of the food.
Stern
R M
RM
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA. RS3@PSU.EDU
Jokerst
M D
MD
Levine
M E
ME
Koch
K L
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*