Effect of nasal dilators on pleasantness, intensity and sampling behaviorsof foods in the oral cavity

The present study assessed the effect of nasal dilators on ratings of food intensity and pleasantness. Participants wearing the dilators rated foods i n the oral cavity as less pleasant and more intense than did those particip ants wearing a placebo strip. In addition, they consumed less of the test s timuli. Significant interactions were noted between foodstimuli and placebo vs. nasal dilator strip conditions, indicating certain food qualities, par ticularly initial pleasantness combine to produce enhanced changes in perce ption. Changes in the intensity and pleasantness of foods was most pronounc ed in foods characterized as initially pleasant A review of studies to date indicate that both foods and odors are perceived as more intense and less pleasant during nasal dilation, suggesting an impact of the dilators on bot h retronasal and orthonasal air flow.