Khaberni - In unexpected results, a recent study from the University of Bristol found that social media sites may play a positive role in helping some people resist the urge to eat, rather than enhancing it as is often believed.
Eating with the eyes instead of reality
The study explained that some people who follow diets turn to watching images and clips of appetizing foods online as a way to temporarily satisfy the desire, without the need to actually eat them.
Researchers indicate that this behavior—metaphorically known as eating with the eyes—may represent a simple and low-risk tool for controlling cravings especially for those looking to reduce caloric intake, according to a report published by "digitaltrends" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
A more complex relationship than we think
These findings challenge the common idea that exposure to food content on platforms like "Instagram" and "TikTok" necessarily leads to increased appetite and overeating.
However, researchers emphasize that this effect does not mean that these platforms turn into health tools, but reflects the complexity of the relationship between digital content and eating behavior.
An even darker side
Conversely, other studies warn of the negative impacts of social media, particularly concerning body image and eating disorders.
A broad scientific review in 2025 involving more than 55,000 participants showed that social comparison online is associated with increased anxiety about body shape and higher rates of eating disorders, alongside decreased satisfaction with appearance.
Previous research has also pointed out that the quality of content—especially related to dieting and weight loss—plays a bigger role than just the duration of use, as it can contribute to promoting unhealthy eating behaviors.
