Sex-specific association between regional gray matter volume and spicy food craving or consumption

Both food cravings and long-term food consumption have been associated with brain changes. Sex differences in food craving are robust and substantial. The current study examined the potential sex-specific neuroanatomical correlates of spicy food craving and habitual spicy food consumption. One hundred and forty-nine participants completed the Spicy Food Consumption Questionnaire and the Spicy Food Craving Questionnaire while their structural brain images were acquired using a 3-T scanner. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine regional gray matter volume (GMV) in relation to questionnaire scores. GMV of the right supplementary motor area (SMA) and the dorsal superior frontal gyrus were significantly correlated with spicy food craving in women, whereas spicy food craving was associated with greater GMV of the inferior temporal gyrus and the occipital gyrus in men. In addition, habitual spicy food consumption was correlated with increased GMV of the bilateral putamen, left postcentral gyrus, and right paracentral lobule, which was more pronounced among female participants. These findings suggest distinct central neuroanatomical reflections of trait craving or habitual exposure to spicy flavors. The sex-specific correlation between spicy food craving and brain anatomical features may be related to food-related sensory imagery or cognitive control.

Automated summary

Both food cravings and long-term food consumption have different effects on the brain, and these effects show sex differences. This study aimed to explore the potential sex-specific neuroanatomical correlations between spicy food craving and habitual spicy food consumption. The results showed that in women, spicy food craving was significantly correlated with gray matter volume in the right supplementary motor area (SMA) and the dorsal superior frontal gyrus, while in men, it was associated with greater gray matter volume in the inferior temporal gyrus and the occipital gyrus. In addition, habitual spicy food consumption was correlated with increased gray matter volume in the bilateral putamen, left postcentral gyrus, and right paracentral lobule, which was more pronounced in female participants. These findings suggest that there are distinct central neural reflections of trait craving or habitual exposure to spicy flavors, and the sex-specific correlation between spicy food craving and brain anatomical features may be related to food-related sensory imagery or cognitive control.