Even though smaller pretzels were eaten more slowly and with smaller bites, they still led to higher sodium intake.
The study suggests that the size of snacks influences our eating behaviour, which, in turn, affects total intake of calories.
The study also highlighted the connection between pretzel size and sodium intake.
Smaller pretzels may have more sodium per bite due to their surface area, leading to higher sodium consumption overall.
High calorie and sodium intake are linked to hypertension, obesity and various other heart diseases.
A new study has revealed that the size of snacks affects how quickly and how much people eat.
The researchers from Penn State looked at snacking, which is a huge part of the North American diet, where the study was conducted.
Since snacks contribute to about a quarter of daily calories in the US, understanding this behaviour could help manage calorie and sodium intake better, the study mentioned.
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Published in the journal Appetite, the team focused on pretzels and found that larger pretzels led people to eat faster and take bigger bites, resulting in consuming more overall.
Even though smaller pretzels were eaten more slowly and with smaller bites, they still led to higher sodium intake.
A pretzel is a type of baked dough that is shaped into a knot. It has a German origin and salt is the most common seasoning or topping for pretzels.
Seventy-five adults participated in the study, eating different-sized pretzels three times in a testing centre. Researchers recorded eating habits and measured the amount of food eaten.
The results showed that when given the same amount of food, people ate more of the larger pretzels compared to smaller ones. The size of the pretzel also influenced how fast people ate and how big their bites were.
The study suggests that the size of snacks influences our eating behaviour, which, in turn, affects total intake of calories. Larger pretzels make people eat faster and take bigger bites.
John Hayes, professor of food science at Penn State, explained that food structure, like size and shape, can affect eating behaviour and intake. This understanding could help people eat less without sacrificing enjoyment.
"Food geometry, specifically unit size, is of particular utility for snack foods. We're interested in how the material properties of foods can be harnessed to help people eat less without impacting their enjoyment," said study author John Hayes.
The study also highlighted the connection between pretzel size and sodium intake. Smaller pretzels may have more sodium per bite due to their surface area, leading to higher sodium consumption overall.
The research team said that these findings will help people make healthier snack choices based on their calorie and sodium needs.
High calorie and sodium intake are linked to hypertension, obesity and various other heart diseases.
