'Why do I always have room for dessert?' (The truth may surprise you)

We investigate if there truly is a separate stomach for dessert.

Separate stomach for dessert

After stuffing ourselves full with dinner we always tell ourselves: “There’s always room for dessert.” Of course, we could not possibly eat any more dinner, but eating a gooey pudding, creamy ice-cream or fudgy brownie after dinner is never a difficult feat. 

That something sweet just feels different because… 

There’s. Always. Room. For. Dessert.

Why is it that, even when we’re full, we can always eat dessert? It turns out it’s not just your insatiable desire for a sweet treat – there’s a scientific reason behind this phenomenon (and no, before you get excited, you don’t actually have a separate stomach for dessert – sorry.)

Why is there always room for dessert? 

Our feeling that there is always room for dessert can be explained by a phenomenon called sensory-specific satiation (SSS). SSS explains how as you consume a single type of food, food-related pleasure decreases… leading to satiation. But as soon as you introduce a new type of food, your tastebuds get excited again – leaving you with more “room” for food. 

A study conducted by the University of Oxford in the 80s found we’re more likely to overeat when a variety of foods are at our disposal, as it delays satiation. In the study, one sample was offered sandwiches with one filling and another sample was offered sandwiches with four different fillings. The sample with the variety of fillings ate a third more. 

Alongside flavour, texture and colour were also studied. Participants ate more yoghurt when the yoghurts varied in taste, texture and colour – as opposed to just taste. 

The study also concluded that when flavours differ fundamentally e.g. salty vs sweet, intake would be higher if presented one after another (hence why you always want something sweet after salty, or vice versa).

The winter desserts we always have room for

In winter, we always crave that extra comfort that only a warm dessert can give us. From a creamy Baileys rice pudding to decadent self-saucing puddings (and every crumble, sticky date and golden syrup dumpling in between) here are the desserts we always have room for after dinner. 

Our ultimate winter desserts

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Originally published as 'Why do I always have room for dessert?' (The truth may surprise you)