Effects of grapefruit essential oil aromatherapy on appetite ratings and ad libitum food intake in healthy young adults
Food Quality and Preference, cilt.146, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 146
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2026.106039
- Dergi Adı: Food Quality and Preference
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Psycinfo, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Appetite, Aromatherapy, citrus paradisi, Energy intake, Limonene, Oils-volatile
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Eating behavior is influenced by physiological hunger as well as environmental stimuli, mood, and sensory factors. Olfactory cues are an important sensory component in regulating appetite and food intake. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of grapefruit essential oil aromatherapy on appetite ratings for palatable foods and ad libitum food intake. Fifty university students (30 female and 20 male) with an average age of 22.6 ± 1.76 years and no olfactory abnormalities participated in the study. Participants ate a breakfast buffet in two different settings, one week apart, with the control session always performed first, followed by the grapefruit oil-treated session. Appetite Ratings was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), and food consumption was evaluated using recorded of food consumption. Appetite ratings for palatable foods VAS scores were significantly lower in the grapefruit oil condition compared with the control condition (2.0 ± 0.65 vs. 5.2 ± 1.10, p < 0.05). Additionally, total energy intake was significantly reduced during grapefruit oil exposure compared to control (254.8 ± 81.80 kcal vs. 515.4 ± 118.57 kcal, p < 0.05), accompanied by significant reductions in macronutrient and micronutrient intake. In conclusion, grapefruit essential oil aromatherapy may have a regulating effect on appetite and food intake, suggesting its potential as a complementary approach to appetite management. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on olfactory modulation of appetite and dietary behavior, and highlight the need for further controlled studies in diverse populations.