Last Updated on December 20, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A viral video circulating on social media claims that your state of mind while eating makes food less poisonous. However, upon fact-checking the claim, we found it to be Mostly False.
The Claim
In a video on YouTube, the person said that being happy while eating can make poisonous food less harmful. They talked about a study at Ohio State University with rabbits that were given food with lots of cholesterol. But there was a group of rabbits that didn’t get high cholesterol levels. The reason was surprising! The person who fed them was very kind and loving. They petted, cuddled, and kissed the rabbits before giving them the same bad food.
The video explained that this love and happiness made the rabbits’ brains and bodies create special chemicals. These chemicals changed how their bodies dealt with the cholesterol, making it less harmful. So, the speaker said that it’s not just about the food we eat, but also how we feel and think when we eat. Our emotions and awareness can turn bad things into good things and good things into bad things.
We have attached a screenshot of the post below:
Fact Check
Can your state of mind while eating make food less poisonous?
No. Your happy state of mind while eating does not make food less poisonous. Happiness or positive emotions cannot neutralise the harmful effects of poisonous substances in food. Contaminated foods contain toxic substances that can cause adverse reactions or damage to your body, irrespective of your emotional state. It can lead to serious health consequences regardless of your emotional state while eating. The effects of consuming such substances can range from mild discomfort to severe illness, organ damage, or even death.
The person in the video has made an incorrect statement quoting the research done at the Ohio State University. We also ran a quick Google reverse image search and found that the speaker was Deepak Chopra. He is a well-known figure in the self-help and wellness industry. While he has a background in medicine as a former physician, he is now more widely recognized as a self-help guru, known for blending Eastern philosophies, alternative medicine practices, and spiritual principles into his teachings. However, Chopra’s ideas have been criticized by many in the scientific community for their lack of empirical evidence and promotion of pseudoscience.
In the claimed YouTube video, Chopra talks about research conducted at Ohio State University. However, the video does not have a reference link to this research. So we began our Keyword search to find this research paper online. As a result, we found a link that talks about the Rabbit Effect – a study done the Ohio State University. In the late 1970s, scientists studied rabbits on high-fat diets to investigate heart disease links. Surprisingly, those cared for with love showed significantly fewer fatty deposits in blood vessels. This sparked the rabbit effect concept, emphasizing the hidden impact of love, friendship, and dignity on our health.
The study found that rabbits that were fed a high-cholesterol diet but were also handled with kindness and love, had lower cholesterol levels than rabbits that were fed the same diet but were not handled with kindness and love.
Even research papers informs that stress can increase cholesterol in the body which can lead increase plaque formation in the veins. So, eating more food while being stressed can lead to higher buildup formation in the veins.
The study’s findings highlights that our emotions and mindset can play a role in our physical health. When we feel happy and loved, our bodies release chemicals that can have a positive impact on our health. Conversely, when we feel stressed or anxious, our bodies release chemicals that can have a negative impact on our health.
It is also possible that the difference in cholesterol levels was due to the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is released during social bonding and positive interactions. Oxytocin has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular function.
It is important to note that the study was conducted on rabbits, so it is not clear whether the same findings would apply to humans. However, there is a growing body of research that suggests that our emotions and mindset can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being.
So, while it is unlikely that simply being happy while eating can make poisonous food less harmful, it is possible that our emotions and mindset can play a role in how our bodies process food. Eating in a relaxed and enjoyable environment may help us to digest our food better and absorb more nutrients. Additionally, eating with loved ones and friends can promote social bonding and release oxytocin, which may have other health benefits.
Dr. Sharad Malhotra, HOD, Gastroenterology, at Akash Hospital, New Delhi adds, “Positive thinking, good thoughts, and strong family support have the potential to positively impact the course of various diseases. However, this does not mean that we should completely abandon our lifestyle choices. Rather, it emphasizes the importance of moderation. People must consistently maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine checkups for their health conditions”.
Dr Amrita More, Plastic Surgeon informs that a positive attitude goes a long way and that a happy person makes a happy patient.
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