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The Lithuanian research has no analogues in the world: it was caused by the sad statistics of Lithuania.
Co-author of the research, Department of Food Safety and Quality of LSMU, Professor prof. Elena Bartkienė says that one of the most important arguments for such a study is the number of depressive illnesses mentioned by the World Health Organization and their increasing trend. Furthermore, researchers are concerned about the suicide statistics in Lithuania:
“Now we are pleased to receive information when people on the air are known to talk about depression and other disorders that, sadly, are much more difficult to treat in a timely manner. If diagnosed early, the number of suicides can be reduced. .
The idea of a unique study in the world, says E. Bartkienė, arose spontaneously: “We all know that what we choose to eat depends on our mood. Not only from mood, but also from certain disorders, especially depressive disorder. But basically, how we react to food, what emotions do we express if we are sick or not, nobody has analyzed it, and this is really new on a global scale ”.
The study included two groups of respondents with just over 80 people, a control group without depressive disorder and another group of respondents with depressive disorder. The study included four flavors: salty, bitter, bittersweet, and nine emotions, and the study itself lasted for three years.
The two tastes revealed extremely large differences between respondents.
Eating and depressive disorders, says the professor, usually have a connection, so there is a link that emotions can be measured through food: “We show notes with a certain taste, several scientists worked here. One scanned and recorded emotions on the computer, the other displayed those charts and explained them. A text was prepared for the man to imagine. For example, the word “Sweet” is displayed and the researcher explains “Look what you see on the card” along with good didactics. The respondent responds. Then it is asked what sweet product the respondent likes. We ask the people involved in the project to concentrate and at some point express the emotion they feel when they try the product ”.
Chocolate
During the study, the group of respondents with depressive disorder, says E. Bartkienė, reacted significantly differently from the control group of respondents: less “happy” emotion. Other key differences were found in the analysis of “sad” and “angry” fearful emotions and expressions. More fears are expressed in the group with depressive disorders ”.
According to the researcher, such a study could be useful in everyday medicine to detect a depressive disorder even in a GP’s office: “the weather is bad, or you should still seek professional help.”
According to the professor, there is already interest in this scientific invention on the part of doctors, but a state position is needed, because scientists cannot finance the course of the project with their own funds: “The foundation is done. For this to extend to GP offices, a larger sample is needed, more surveys are needed, and thousands, not hundreds, verify reliability. “
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