Pasta is a symbol of sharing and togetherness.
Today, thanks to a scientific study by the Behavior & Brain Lab at IULM University in Milan, Italy, we can confirm that eating a plate of pasta together activates the brain, generates positive emotions, and strengthens bonds between people.
Research Confirms Pasta as a Symbol of Sharing
Pasta consumption was the focus of a study conducted by IULM University in Milan, with the goal of investigating the role of conviviality at the table. Using neuromarketing techniques, the study demonstrated that eating pasta in company produces a greater emotional and relational impact compared to other social activities, such as watching a movie or playing a game.
Through the analysis of the brain reactions of 40 participants, it emerged that sharing a plate of pasta activates areas of the brain linked to memory and positive emotions. Not only that: compared to other shared experiences, pasta generates a stronger social connection, even among people meeting for the first time.
Sharing, Emotions, and Memory: The Social Power of Pasta
The data collected confirm that pasta is capable of evoking memories related to family, home, and tradition. Fifty-three percent of participants defined it as a comfort food, and 60% of conversations that arose during the meal revolved around emotional and relational themes. This reinforces the idea of pasta as a symbol of authentic, lived sharing.
The research highlights how the act of eating together represents a moment of profound connection, capable of breaking down emotional barriers. Pasta, in this context, becomes an element of emotional activation: it generates well-being, facilitates encounters, and stimulates dialogue. It is a bridge between past and present, between taste and relationships.
Expert Opinion: “Pasta is a Catalyst for Relationships”
According to Professor Vincenzo Russo, coordinator of the study, pasta stimulates the most positive emotions precisely at the moment it is consumed: “The results tell us that the moments when we eat pasta are those that activate us most emotionally. It is, therefore, the actual act of tasting and savoring the dish in its full flavor that stimulates the most positive memories and emotions. The results allow us to state that pasta is a true catalyst for relationships and that a plate of spaghetti in the center of the table can give rise to a social network.”
This scientific recognition solidifies the idea that pasta is not only part of gastronomic culture but also a tool for connection, conviviality, and openness to others. Where there is pasta, company ignites.
