Food Neophobia and Its Relation with Olfaction

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2014 Mar 6

PMID 24596565

Citations 22

Authors

M Luisa Dematte

Isabella Endrizzi

Flavia Gasperi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Food neophobia, that is the reluctance to try novel foods, is an attitude that dramatically affects human feeding behavior in many different aspects among which food preferences and food choices appear to be the most thoroughly considered. This attitude has an important evolutionary meaning since it protects the individual from ingesting potentially dangerous substances. On the other hand, it fosters an avoidance behavior that can extend even toward useful food elements. A strong link exists between food neophobia and both the variety in one person's diet and previous exposures to different foods. In this review, the more recent findings about food neophobia will be concisely described. Given the suggested connection between the exposure to different foods and food neophobia, this review will focus on the relation between this attitude and human chemosensory abilities. Olfaction, in particular, is a sensory modality that has a central role in flavor perception and in food preference acquisition. Therefore, the latest evidences about its relation with food neophobia will be discussed along with the applied and cognitive implications.

Citing Articles

Relationship of Wine Neophobia Levels with Demographic Factors and Wine Consumption Behavior in Spanish Consumers.

Criado C, Pozo-Bayon M, Dominguez L, Fernandez-Ruiz V, Munoz-Gonzalez C Nutrients. 2025; 17(4).

PMID: 40005015 PMC: 11857929. DOI: 10.3390/nu17040687.

Identification of Sensory Drivers of Liking of Plant-Based Milk Using a Novel Palm Kernel Milk-The Effect of Reformulation and Flavors Addition Through CATA and PCA Analysis.

Tong S, Siow L, Lee Y Food Sci Nutr. 2025; 13(1):e4719.

PMID: 39803238 PMC: 11725180. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4719.

Development and Management of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Food Neophobia in Pediatric Patients with Food Allergy: A Comprehensive Review.

Nocerino R, Mercuri C, Bosco V, Giordano V, Simeone S, Guillari A Nutrients. 2024; 16(17).

PMID: 39275348 PMC: 11397472. DOI: 10.3390/nu16173034.

Food Neophobias in Spanish Adults with Overweight or Obesity by Sex: Their Association with Sociodemographic Factors and the Most Prevalent Chronic Diseases.

Del Campo C, Bouzas C, Monserrat-Mesquida M, Tur J Foods. 2024; 13(13).

PMID: 38998536 PMC: 11241257. DOI: 10.3390/foods13132030.

The role of the mediodorsal thalamus in chemosensory preference and consummatory behavior in rats.

Gartner K, Samuelsen C Chem Senses. 2024; 49.

PMID: 38985657 PMC: 11259855. DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjae027.

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