The effects of sham feeding-induced sensory specific satiation and food variety on subsequent food intake in humans

Sensory specific satiation (SSS) occurs in the absence of postingestive feedback via use of a modified sham feeding procedure (MSF) which can increase satiety and fullness ratings. In the present experiment, less suppression of food intake after MSF than after eating was predicted. Furthermore, since variety tends to increase food intake, it was hypothesized that SSS to one food would suppress intake of the same food in a subsequent course compared to intake of a different food. 23 participants from the US and UK ate lunch in the laboratory in a repeated measures design with MSF and food variety as factors. In the first course, there were no differences in intake among the conditions. Participants ate less in the second course after eating than after MSF. However, those in the MSF condition consumed less total energy for lunch. Participants ate more in the varied second course than in the same condition. There was no difference in SSS for MSF and eating conditions. Thus, changes in the pleasantness of the taste of the eaten food declined whether that food was sham fed or eaten. There was no interaction between MSF and variety conditions on food intake. The results suggest that while MSF can produce SSS, it does not lower subsequent food intake.