A study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference found that couples also eat more and for longer.
German scientists recruited 159 participants before dividing them into four groups: eating tomato soup with or without a tablecloth, in high or low lighting.
Findings showed that the quality of the food was rated higher when accompanied by a tablecloth and volunteers also ate for longer.
The results were “fascinating,” lead researcher Professor Nanette Ströbele-Benschop told CNN. And even though they knew that environmental factors played a part, she wanted to know “which parts have influence.”
When researchers first tested the impact of different lighting conditions, they noticed no effect on the duration of the meal nor the quality of the food – although some reported food was less salty with dimmer lighting.
Next, they added table linen and ensured there was more than one person on a table.
The first group consumed their meal with dim lighting and tablecloth – results showed, on average, participants had 51 per cent more soup than those who ate without a tablecloth in dim lighting.
Ströbele-Benschop sees other benefits apart from improving your romance game: this could help those in retirement homes, hospitals or schools eat more food. It could also promote healthy home made meals over takeaway options by making the food appear nicer.
“It’s the combination of decorative aspects,” she continued. “Any ambient factors could promote more enjoyment.”
