As the  skies open up in India besides rain, one can witness mushrooming of stalls selling bhajiyas, dalwadas, momos, omelettes, corn on the cob etc. and people flocking these outlets with the purpose of giving a free rein to their taste buds. 

Most of us have experienced pangs of craving for sweet, salty, fried or fatty food along with a cuppa of piping-hot masala chai when it’s grey and rainy outside. Have you ever wondered what’s the connect between rains and food?

A study by UNSW (University of New South Wales-Australia) has found a link between depressing weather conditions and people’s food consumption habits. Not only can bad weather make one feel blue but it can also propel one to explore ‘hedonic’ (pleasure-seeking) consumption – with the latter behaviour being stronger among women. Upon conducting an experiment that captured actual weather conditions based on temperature and rain the UNSW Study claimed that women reported an increased preference for pleasurable food consumption by 80 to 100 per cent, in response to a weather-induced negative mood.

In common man’s language - women experiencing the blues due to bad weather resorted to eating more comfort food.

There’s a reason for this erratic behaviour - women are more susceptible to mood disorders owing to hormonal (oestrogen in particular) fluctuations; this in turn affects neurotransmitters like dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin, which influence emotional state and create a need for a mood boost. 

From the psychological perspective also a drop in temperature and wet and gloomy weather leads to a natural craving for foods that provide warmth.  The reason being the drop in sunlight during monsoons lowers your serotonin levels. Serotonin is - a neurotransmitter and nature’s own appetite suppressant; a brain chemical that can curb food cravings and shut off appetite. The sudden plummeting of serotonin levels during the weather change makes one feel hungry and experience food cravings. And fried and fatty foods contain tryptophan which is used by our brain to produce serotonin. So, to balance the drop in serotonin levels during weather changes, our brain craves for these fried, fatty foods! 

Now that you have legitimate reasons to satisfy your monsoon food cravings, go ahead and indulge in your favourite munchies! But hey… instead of combatting the rain, long queues and the looming threat of picking up the coronavirus how about preparing the healthy versions of these comfort foods without compromising on their taste quotient?

Try innovative items like – Baked Samosa, Baked Cutlet, Baked Kachori, Baked Katori Chaat, Idli Chaat, Steaming Momos, Kulcha Pizza, Whole Wheat Egg Roll et al with a piping hot cup of masala chai replete with ginger and mint. 

Bow down to the demands of the beautiful weather and your serotonin cravings and enjoy these healthy home-made treats…