The psychic influences in relation to the digestion of food have been studied by a number of investigators, with marked differences noted. Excerpts from some of these studies follow:
"The sight of a well-set table containing attractive food gives rise to marked secretory activity, while the same food poorly prepared and poorly served calls forth less gastric response. Sight is more influential in this respect than odor, although evil odors seem to have definite inhibitory effects."
"It is commonly advised that people should have pleasant company at mealtime. This makes possible the enjoyment of the food and creates the proper psychic conditions which enable the digestive apparatus to do its work well. It has been suggested that from a psychic viewpoint, it is unfortunate that so much of the food is cooked outside the home. As mealtime approaches, the odors of cooking food tend to create an anticipation of eating which produces a proper psychic condition for the secretion of the digestive fluids and consequently promotes the utilization of food."2
"The pleasurable sensations from the sight, smell, and taste of food not only make the mouth water, but the stomach also."
"Strong emotions tend to inhibit the digestive process at any or all of its stages. The inhibition of the secretion of saliva under emotional stress has formed the basis of the detection of thieves in India. Each of the suspected persons was given a bowl of rice and the person who, because of the dryness of his mouth, was unable to moisten the rice, was judged guilty. This test would hardly distinguish between innocent anxiety and guilty fear, but illustrates the importance of a placid mind at mealtime. Thus the serving of appetizing food under conditions which make for peace of mind is justified on scientific as well as esthetic grounds."
Nervous strain or excitement may influence the muscular tone of the stomach and intestine to such a degree that food is not moved as it should be, or is moved along too rapidly. With changed function, we may have abnormal gas accumulations, increased irritability of the bowel wall, or spasms of the organs with actual pain and griping.
‘"In studies of the activity of digestive glands it has been shown that violent nervous strain or emotional stress, such as accompanies a keen disappointment, may lead to the production of a gastric juice reduced in amount and largely devoid of digestive elements. One who is sick may eat quite well of food served in small portions, in pretty dishes, on a decorated tray, yet the same food served in large portions in plain dishes would mast likely be repulsive. Physical exhaustion also is frequently accompanied by changes in the muscular activity of the intestines. Worry, whether based on fact or fancy, lessens the appetite; and depression of the glandular and muscular activity follows."5
"Fear, anger, or pain tend greatly to interfere with the digestive process and may be the primary cause of profound digestive disturbances. It is not an uncommon experience for those who are subject to fits of temper to suffer from sick headaches, gas production, and mental dullness, following an exhibition of emotion in a 'temper spell.' It has often been asserted that the healthy person never realizes that he has a heart or a stomach, and this is as it should be. These organs perform their functions best when we are wholly unconscious of their existence.
"Since any unpleasant emotions interfere so seriously with the digestion, it is wrong to scold children or to discuss matters relating to discipline at the table. Business affairs, especially if they involve questions which give concern, should be put aside at mealtime. A mother recently told of her rule never to scold or punish children until later if they disobeyed her just before mealtime. She appeared not to notice the infraction at the time, but after an interval of two hours or more from mealtime the hour of reckoning came. Such a plan is to be recommended to all mothers."6
"The general nervous state of a person is very quickly reflected in the stomach. Attention to the appearance of food on the table, and other devices which tend to put the prospective eater in a happy frame of mind, are worth while from this point of view."7
"Does eating in the open air, for instance at a picnic, affect the digestibility of the food? To the average individual a picnic means a good time; cares are forgotten and the very atmosphere is surcharged with freedom and enjoyment. In other words, the picnicker and his stomach are happy, and a happy stomach is in prime condition to take care of all the food that comes his way. This is simply another instance of the effect of mental attitude upon digestion. A person with a holiday appetite generally has small need of the stomach specialist."8
These quotations from scientific literature give proof of the statement made by Mrs. White in Counsels on Diet and Foods: "There is a mysterious and wonderful relation between the mind and the body."
References
1 McLester, Nutrition and Diet in Health and Disease, pp. 152-155.
2 McCollum and Becker, Food Nutrition and Health, Lord Baltimore Press, Baltimore, 1933, pp. 92, 93.
3 Lusk, Graham, The Elements of the Science of Nutrition W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia and London, 1938, p. 475.
4 Sherman, Henry C., Food and Health, Macmillan, New York, 1934, p. 65.
5 Sansum, Hare, Bowden, The Normal Diet and Healthful Living, Macmillan, New York, 1936, pp. 103, 104.
6 McCollum and Becker, Food Nutrition and Health, p. 93.
7 Rose, Mary, Feeding the Family, pp. 44, 45.
8 Hawk, What We Eat and What Happens to It, Harper and Brothers, New York, 1919, p. 229.
