Molto bene! Scientists at the Behavioural and Brain Lab and the Free University of Languages and Communication in Milan have confirmed that eating a bowl of pasta does, in fact, make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

For the study, the researchers enlisted 40 participants between the ages of 25 and 55 years old and measured both neurological and physical changes as they ate pasta. They then compared these responses to the reactions participants had while listening to their favourite songs or watching an adrenaline pumping sporting event.

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The results not only confirmed that eating pasta helped improve mood, it is more effective than sports or music at activating cognitive memory processes – or in other words, consuming pasta helped participants remember or recall specific lists and items.

The scientists measured pasta’s effectiveness for mood-boosting as the researchers observed and quantified the participants’ facial expressions and body language. Through observing the participants, it was determined that eating a bowl of pasta was equally likely to be a trigger of happiness as that persons’ favourite song. Interestingly, eating pasta was significantly more likely to trigger positive facial expressions than watching a sporting event.

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In a statement regarding the study’s results, Vincenzo Russo, a Professor of Consumer Psychology and Neuromarketing at IULM University and the Founder and Coordinator of the Neuromarketing Behaviour & Brain Lab said, “The results tell us that it is precisely when we eat pasta that we are most emotionally active. It is, therefore, the real act of tasting and savouring the dish in its full flavour to stimulate the most positive memories and emotions.”

It’s important to bear in mind that this study – which was conducted on behalf of Unione Italiana Food, a trade organisation that represents Italy’s pasta producers – is yet to be peer-reviewed but we’re not going to let that get in our way next time we want a feel-good feed.

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