Why comfort food makes you happy? Here's the science behind it

There’s a reason why people instinctively reach for pizza after a stressful day, crave chocolate at emotional lows or feel deeply comforted by a bowl of dal-chawal when feeling exhausted.

Comfort food is not just about taste or habit. It is closely connected to the brain’s response to stress, emotion, memory and reward.

Firstpost spoke with Charu Dua, who explains that comfort eating is rooted in both biology and psychology. “Comfort food is not just about taste, or habit. It is closely connected to the brain’s response to stress, emotion, memory and reward,” she notes.

The brain’s reward system and comfort food

When people eat foods that are rich in sugar, fat or carbohydrates, the brain produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to feelings of pleasure and reward. This creates a feeling of relief, calmness or happiness.

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At the same time, comfort foods can also promote serotonin production, especially carbohydrate-rich foods, which may help to improve mood and foster a feeling of emotional stability.

As Dua explains, “When people eat foods that are rich in sugar, fat or carbohydrates, the brain produces dopamine… this creates a feeling of relief, calmness or happiness.”

Why comfort food is tied to memory

But the connection between food and feelings runs deeper than just brain chemistry.

A lot of comfort food is about memory and emotional security. The brain often associates specific foods with childhood, caregiving, celebrations or times of safety.

“Comfort foods can also be deeply tied to emotional memory,” says Dua. “The brain often associates specific foods with childhood, caregiving or times of security.”

A simple bowl of khichdi when you are unwell, or homemade curd rice after a long day, can signify warmth, familiarity and psychological protection. This emotional association itself can reduce stress levels.

The gut-brain connection

Research increasingly shows that the gut and the brain are in constant communication through what scientists call the gut-brain axis.

Around 90 per cent of serotonin receptors are located in the gut, which is why eating foods that alter digestion can also influence mood.

Fermented foods such as curd, yoghurt and buttermilk may support healthy gut bacteria, which are now associated with improved mood regulation and reduced inflammation.

Not all comfort foods affect the body the same way

But not every comfort food works the same way in the body.

Ultra-processed junk foods like burgers, sugary desserts, packaged chips and soft drinks cause quick surges of dopamine and blood sugar, making them instantly gratifying. However, this effect is generally short-lived.

As Dua points out, “Ultra-processed foods give a quick dopamine spike, but the effect is temporary and often followed by fatigue or mood dips.”

Overeating such foods can contribute to increased fatigue, mood swings, inflammation, poor sleep and emotional reliance on food.

Healthier comfort food choices

The problem is not comfort food itself. When stressed, the body automatically craves foods that are emotionally and physically calming.

A better approach is to choose comfort foods that are nourishing as well as emotionally satisfying - such as dal-chawal, khichdi, soups, dark chocolate in moderation, nuts or curd-based foods.

“Comfort food does not have to be unhealthy,” says Dua. “It is about balance - choosing foods that soothe both the mind and the body.”

Food is more than fuel

Food is not just fuel. Sometimes what we call “comfort food” is the body signalling a need for emotional regulation, energy stability and physiological calm.