How Loud Music Influences What You Order At Restaurants

The next time you opt for the burger over the salad, ask yourself if it has anything to do with the loud music playing in the restaurant.

We know that sound and volume can be linked to how food tastes and how we experience it, but it turns out that it can also influence what you crave. According to a new study in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Sciences, the louder the music played in restaurants, the more likely costumers will order junkier dishes.

Marketing professor at the University of South Florida, Dipayan Biswas, studied a cafe in Stockholm for several days, where the volume of music would differ between 55 and 70 decibels throughout the day. The researching team found that 20% more costumers opted for something unhealthy when music was louder. It turns out that loud music can serve as a distraction to the senses, making it more difficult to make healthful decisions.

If you've been contemplating bringing along a pair of earplugs to your next dining out situation, this may be the final push you needed.

h/t The Washington Post