Does comfort food really comfort us?
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It\\u2019s something many of us intuitively believe - certain foods have the power to make us feel better. But what\\u2019s the science behind this, why do we crave certain dishes, and do they provide solace for everyone?
Graihagh Jackson explores what\\u2019s really happening when we turn to food for a pick-me-up: psychologist Shira Gabriel explains these foods\\u2019 links to memory and social connection; and psychiatrist Lukas Van Oudenhove reveals why so many comfort foods are high in fat or carbohydrates, and how this could be problematic in the long run.
But comfort foods aren\\u2019t always comforting - we find out why an unhappy childhood can mean they provide little or no solace. And the concept is far from universal - food writer Jenny Linford says in some food cultures the idea is irrelevant.
Plus, of all the millions of dishes out there, why do some rise to comfort food status? Food writer Kay Plunkett-Hogge explains why rice is the ultimate comfort food for many Thais.
Producer: Simon Tulett\\nStudio Manager: Hal Haines
Let us know what you think about the show - email thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk
(Picture: A man hugging a giant ice cream. Credit: Getty Images/BBC)
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