Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: a placebo approach with color suggestions
Schlintl and Schienle note that findings on the appetite-enhancing effect of red and the appetite-reducing effect of blue have been inconsistent. They use a placebo approach to test whether verbal suggestions can strengthen colour-appetite effects. In two experiments, women viewed images of sweet foods in original, blue, red or colourless versions, or on blue, red, white and grey backgrounds. Half received information about the effects of red and blue on appetite before viewing, and half did not.
Schlintl and Schienle note that findings on the appetite-enhancing effect of red and the appetite-reducing effect of blue have been inconsistent. They use a placebo approach to test whether verbal suggestions can strengthen colour-appetite effects. In two experiments, women viewed images of sweet foods in original, blue, red or colourless versions, or on blue, red, white and grey backgrounds. Half received information about the effects of red and blue on appetite before viewing, and half did not.
Written from the abstract as shown on the OpenAlex record, read 2026-11-04.
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Schlintl, C., & Schienle, A. (2020). Effects of coloring food images on the propensity to eat: a placebo approach with color suggestions. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 589826. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.589826