The science behind a mouth-watering craving

Have you ever walked past your favourite food, caught its aroma, or simply seen a picture of it and suddenly noticed your mouth watering? You may not have been particularly hungry a moment earlier, yet the sight or smell of a familiar dish can instantly make you want to eat.
This everyday reaction may seem simple, but there is a fascinating process happening between the brain and the body. Your body can actually begin preparing for food before you have eaten anything. The brain takes in information from what you see, smell and even remember, and uses these signals to anticipate what is coming next.
This early preparation is known as the cephalic phase of digestion. Visual cues, smells and even memories associated with food can activate the nervous system and stimulate the production of saliva and digestive juices.
But the brain does not only prepare us to eat. It can also tell the body to stay away from something that appears unpleasant or potentially harmful. A bad smell, rotten food or something visually revolting can trigger nausea, gagging or a sudden loss of appetite.
So why does your mouth water when you see your favourite food? And why can the sight or smell of something disgusting make you feel sick?
“Your body can actually start preparing for food before you have eaten anything,” explains Dr Kunal Bahrani, Chairman and Group Director, Neurology, Yatharth Hospitals.
The brain constantly receives information from the environment. When you see, smell, or even think about food that you enjoy, these signals can activate the autonomic nervous system.
One of the results could be increased saliva production. In simple terms, the brain is anticipating what comes next. It recognises the food as something you are likely to eat and begins preparing the body for the digestive process.
This explains why you may start salivating even before the first bite.
Saliva is an important part of eating and digestion. It helps moisten food, making it easier to chew and swallow. It also helps begin the early stages of digestion.
So, when your mouth waters after seeing a plate of your favourite food, your body is not reacting randomly. It is getting itself ready for the meal.
According to the expert explanation in the provided material, visual, smell and memory cues can stimulate the nervous system and increase the secretion of saliva and digestive juices.
This is why even thinking about a familiar food can sometimes produce a physical response.
The cephalic phase of digestion refers to the early stage in which the body begins preparing for digestion before food actually enters the stomach.
The process can be triggered by different sensory cues. You may see a food, smell it, think about it or remember eating it previously. The brain interprets these cues and activates parts of the nervous system involved in digestion. Source: India Today