People More Likely to Eat Fruits within Reach

A new study says that greater visibility of fruit increases their intake, but the same does not hold true for vegetables. Researchers tested a total of 96 college students by placing apple slices and carrot cuts in either clear or opaque bowls on a table at arm’s length or a table two meters away. Participants watched as the food was taken out of its packaging and were told that they were welcome to eat it. After leaving the students alone with the food for 10 minutes, the researchers found that when apples and carrots were left close to the participants, those healthy foods were more likely to be eaten. “Apples, but not carrots, have sugar, which is known to stimulate brain reward regions that induce a ‘wanting’ for foods that contain sugar,” the authors wrote. “Hence, apple slices may be more visually appealing than carrots.” Environment and Behavior, April 2012