The colors around us can have a significant impact on our mood, emotions, and even behaviors like appetite and food consumption. Some colors are known to increase appetite and cravings, while others can suppress it. Understanding how colors influence appetite and food intake is important for managing weight, health, and wellbeing. This article will explore which colors stimulate hunger and why.
How Color Impacts Appetite
Research has shown that color can trigger emotional and physiological responses that influence appetite and eating behaviors. While the mechanisms are not fully understood, studies suggest that color can impact the following:
- Mood – Some colors enhance positive emotions like happiness which can increase interest in food, while others evoke negative feelings that suppress appetite.
- Visual Appeal – Vibrant, saturated colors are more stimulating and make food look more appealing and appetizing.
- Associations – We associate certain colors with taste, flavor or specific foods which can trigger cravings.
- Physiology – Some colors are thought to activate digestive responses and hunger-related hormones.
The effect of any given color on appetite likely involves a complex interaction between these psychological, visual, associative, and physiological factors.
Colors That Stimulate Appetite
Research indicates that warm, bright colors tend to increase appetite, food intake, and trigger cravings. The colors most associated with stimulating hunger are:
Red
Red is commonly thought of as the color with the strongest effect on appetite and eating. Multiple studies have found exposure to the color red increases food intake:
| Study | Key Finding on Red Color |
| Genschow et al. (2012) | People ate roughly 200 calories more from red plates than white plates. |
| Bruno et al. (2013) | Diners spent more money in red restaurants and ate nearly 70% more pasta in red-lit areas. |
| Bellizzi & Hasty (2012) | Red decor in a cafeteria made people more likely to choose indulgent foods. |
Red is thought to enhance visceral states and trigger associations with sweetness and flavor that drive cravings. The color may also elicit physiological responses like increased heart rate and metabolism that boost hunger signals.
Yellow
Yellow is another warm color that seems to stimulate appetite by enhancing positive emotions, visual appeal, and associations with tasty foods:
- Evokes happiness, joy, optimism – positive mood states that increase interest in food.
- Bright, luminous color that makes food look more appealing.
- Associated with lemons, bananas, corn and other flavorful foods.
One study found people ate more hot dogs and cookies on yellow plates versus white plates (Genschow et al., 2012). Yellow may boost appetite by enhancing food’s visual appeal.
Orange
Orange has similarities to red and yellow. Its associations with citrus fruits, carotenoids, pumpkins, and fall harvests may trigger cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. Orange is also a fun, energetic color that can lift mood and appetite.
While limited research exists, one study found people poured and consumed more juice when it was colored orange versus a more neutral white color (Wansink et al., 2005). The bright, warm tone of orange appears to increase interest and intake of associated foods and drinks.
Colors That Suppress Appetite
On the other hand, cool, darker colors tend to have an appetitive-suppressing effect:
Blue
Blue is commonly regarded as the least appetizing color. Studies have found blue lighting in dining areas reduces food intake, potentially by suppressing visceral states, emotions, and visual appeal:
- Calmer, more relaxed mood vs excited states.
- Food looks less appealing, reducing visual stimulation.
- Often associated with toxic/spoiled foods in nature.
Blue may also elicit physiological responses that override hunger signals. One study saw a significant drop in appetite hormones like ghrelin after exposure to blue light (Bretscher et al., 2020).
Purple
Like blue, purple feels calmer and more spiritual versus stimulating. Deeper shades like eggplant evoke sophistication but don’t necessarily provoke appetite. Lighter purples like lavender suppress hunger and cravings, possibly by promoting relaxation.
Green
Green has a relatively neutral effect on appetite compared to other colors. While it represents nature and healthfulness, it doesn’t appear to strongly stimulate or curb appetite and food intake.
One exception is mint green, which research suggests may subtly enhance sweetness perception and cravings for sugary foods (Spence et al., 2015).
The Color Red Stimulates Appetite the Most
In summary, studies clearly show warm red and yellow hues increase appetite, food intake, dish selections, and mealtimes compared to cool blue tones. This effect is due to red’s impact on visceral states, visual appeal, associations, and physiology.
While many factors beyond color influence eating behaviors, being aware of color effects can help promote healthy food choices. Surrounding yourself with cooler blues and purples at mealtimes may help curb impulsive overeating and cravings.
