Carb-loving pasta fans don’t need a study to tell them that noodles can make you happier, but that’s exactly what recent research has revealed. According to the study, eating pasta is linked to feelings of increased happiness, reduced stress and greater mindfulness, especially when it’s enjoyed in a social setting with loved ones.
The research includes two parts: an online survey with 15-hundred Italians and a study following participants over two weeks to get their real-time responses before and after eating meals with pasta.
- The survey finds that 41% associate pasta with family and 21% link it to positive emotions.
- Nearly half (44%) of participants eat pasta two to three times a week, while nearly a quarter (23.9%) have it daily.
- They associate pasta with feelings of satiety (34%), satisfaction (29%), happiness (10%) and comfort (7%).
While some people avoid pasta because it’s high in carbs, nutrition experts point out that it can also be healthy. To make it even more nutritious, they recommend adding veggies for fiber and protein, like meat, tofu or beans and limiting the pasta to 25% of the total meal.
Source: Delish