Bloomberg via Getty Images
機内食を普段から好んで食べたいと思う人は稀だろう。しかし、口の中のあの不味さは、私たちに原因があるかもしれないことがわかった。もしくは、飛行機に問題があるという。えっ、どういうこと？
最新の研究によると、大きな騒音、とりわけ飛行機の中で発生する騒音が、味覚を著しく変えてしまうことがあるという。甘味は抑えられ、うま味は不自然に増幅されて感じるようになる。
この研究は、2015年3月に『実験心理学会誌 - 人間の知覚と行動』に掲載されたものだ。48人の被験者が、静かな部屋と飛行機の客室音を再現した部屋の両方で食事をした。研究グループの出した結論はこうだ。「飛行機の客室」内では、甘味を感じる能力が抑制される一方、うま味に対する知覚は増幅する。コーネル大学食品科学科の助教授で同研究の共同著者、ロビン・ダンドー氏はハフポストUS版に、音によって被験者のこれらの味に対する感覚が10〜15％変化したと語った。騒音と耳の神経の間に起こる、感覚相互作用が影響しているのではないかという。
トマトジュースにはうま味が多く含まるため、機内では味が違って（多くの人にとってはより美味しく）感じられる現象も、これで説明できそうだ。この現象を裏付ける事実として、2008年に乗客がフライト中にビールと同じだけ沢山トマトジュースを飲んでいることに、ルフトハンザのスタッフが気がついた。これは同航空会社にとって衝撃的な発見だった。ルフトハンザのケータリング取締役が指摘したように、ドイツ人はビールがとても大好きだからだ。
上空10キロの世界では、騒音以外にも味覚に影響する要因がある。客室の乾いた空気で鼻粘液は乾燥し、気圧の低下で細胞膜は膨張する。そのどちらも、フライト中の味覚器を実質的にまひさせてしまう。ルフトハンザが行った研究で2010年に明らかになったのは、飛行中に似た状況下では、甘味と塩味の感覚は最大で30％も鈍くなるということだ。そのため、どんな種類の食べ物も味を感じにくくなる。
飛行中はおとなしくピーナッツをかじる程度にしておくのが得策かもしれない。
【訂正】2015/11/22 13:10
当初の記事で「気圧の高まり」としていましたが、正しくは「気圧の低下」でした。
H/T Time
この記事はハフポストUS版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。
「空飛ぶホテル」A380画像集
UAE-AVIATION-ETIHAD-ECONOMY(01 of44)
Journalists tour the first class section on the Etihad Airways Boeing B787, at Abu Dhabi airport on December 18, 2014 after the Abu Dhabi-based fast-growing carrier revealed its first Airbus A380 superjumbo and Boeing B787. The A380 will enter commercial services on December 27 in a flight to London Heathrow, while the B787 will fly on February 1 to Dusseldorf in Germany. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARWAN NAAMANI via Getty Images)
Global Airline Crossroads(02 of44)
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 file photo, the first class section of an Emirates airlines Airbus A380 is ready for boarding at the new Concourse A of Dubai airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For generations, international fliers have stopped over in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Now, they increasingly switch planes in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, making this region the new crossroads of global travel. The switch is driven by both the airports and airlines, all backed by governments that see aviation as the way to make their countries bigger players in the global economy. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Emirates' Airside Operations At London's Heathrow Airport(03 of44)
A prepared first class seat sits ready for a passenger onboard an Airbus A380-800 aircraft, operated by Emirates, as the plane waits to depart from Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport in London, U.K., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Emirates, the world\'s largest buyer of Airbus A380 aircraft, is exploring engine options for a batch of 50 additional superjumbos, handing Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc an opportunity to unseat a General Electric Co. and Pratt & Whitney joint venture that powers the existing jets. Photographer: Paul Thomas/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Emirates' Airside Operations At London's Heathrow Airport(04 of44)
The prepared first class seating area onboard an Airbus A380-800 aircraft, operated by Emirates, is seen as the plane waits to depart from Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport in London, U.K., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Emirates, the world\'s largest buyer of Airbus A380 aircraft, is exploring engine options for a batch of 50 additional superjumbos, handing Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc an opportunity to unseat a General Electric Co. and Pratt & Whitney joint venture that powers the existing jets. Photographer: Paul Thomas/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Mideast Dubai New Concourse(05 of44)
A first class seat, complete with a desk and reading lamps, is seen in an Airbus A380 parked at the new Concourse A of Dubai airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. Dubai\'s airport authorities say a purpose-build concourse for Airbus\' A380 aircraft is fully open after weeks of phased-in operations. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
India Airport(06 of44)
Emirates Airline stewardesses look on inside an Airbus A380, the world\'s largest passenger jet, after it landed at the newly built terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 15, 2010. The new terminal has the capacity to handle 34 million passengers annually, becoming the world\'s third largest passenger terminal on completion. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
UAE-TRANSPORT-ECONOMY-ETIHAD-AIR(07 of44)
A picture taken on May 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi shows the Lobby of the new A380 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad Airlines. Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers as the company announced that its Airbus A380 will offer hotel-style bedrooms. AFP PHOTO /KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
UAE-AVIATION-ETIHAD-ECONOMY(08 of44)
A journalist sits in one of the first class apartments on the Etihad Airways Boeing B787, at Abu Dhabi airport on December 18, 2014 after the Abu Dhabi-based fast-growing carrier revealed its first Airbus A380 superjumbo and Boeing B787. The A380 will enter commercial services on December 27 in a flight to London Heathrow, while the B787 will fly on February 1 to Dusseldorf in Germany. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARWAN NAAMANI via Getty Images)
UAE-AVIATION-ETIHAD-ECONOMY(09 of44)
Journalists tour the first class section on the Etihad Airways Boeing B787, at Abu Dhabi airport on December 18, 2014 after the Abu Dhabi-based fast-growing carrier revealed its first Airbus A380 superjumbo and Boeing B787. The A380 will enter commercial services on December 27 in a flight to London Heathrow, while the B787 will fly on February 1 to Dusseldorf in Germany. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARWAN NAAMANI via Getty Images)
UAE-AVIATION-ETIHAD-ECONOMY(10 of44)
A double bed is seen inside one of the first class apartments on the Etihad Airways Boeing B787, at Abu Dhabi airport on December 18, 2014 after the Abu Dhabi-based fast-growing carrier revealed its first Airbus A380 superjumbo and Boeing B787. The A380 will enter commercial services on December 27 in a flight to London Heathrow, while the B787 will fly on February 1 to Dusseldorf in Germany. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MARWAN NAAMANI via Getty Images)
India Airport(11 of44)
Emirates Airline stewardesses welcome the media from behind a bar of an Airbus A380, the worldâs largest passenger jet, after it landed at the newly built terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 15, 2010. The new terminal has the capacity to handle 34 million passengers annually, becoming the world\'s third largest passenger terminal on completion. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
UAE-TRANSPORT-ECONOMY-ETIHAD-AIR(12 of44)
A picture taken on May 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi shows the Business Class Studio of the new A380 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad Airlines. Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers as the company announced that its Airbus A380 will offer hotel-style bedrooms. AFP PHOTO /KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
UAE-TRANSPORT-ECONOMY-ETIHAD-AIR(13 of44)
A picture taken on May 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi shows the Business Class Studio of the new A380 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad Airlines. Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers as the company announced that its Airbus A380 will offer hotel-style bedrooms. AFP PHOTO /KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
UAE-TRANSPORT-ECONOMY-ETIHAD-AIR(14 of44)
A picture taken on May 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi shows the Lobby of the new A380 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad Airlines. Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers as the company announced that its Airbus A380 will offer hotel-style bedrooms. AFP PHOTO /KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
Asian Cup Trophy Tour(15 of44)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Former Socceroos Brett Emerton poses with the Asian Cup trophy after its arrival on an Emirates A380 during the Asian Cup Trophy Tour at Sydney International Airport on December 2, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) (credit:Matt King via Getty Images)
SRI LANKA-EMIRATES(16 of44)
An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft sits on the tarmac at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on June 26, 2015, after making an emergency landing following the detection of smoke in the cockpit. All 471 passengers and 30-member crew disembarked safely 39 minutes after the aircraft declared a major emergency while enroute to Dubai from Sydney. AFP PHOTO/ Ishara S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ISHARA S.KODIKARA via Getty Images)
UAE-TRANSPORT-ECONOMY-ETIHAD-AIR(17 of44)
A picture taken on May 4, 2014 in Abu Dhabi shows the Lobby (R) of the new A380 aircraft of the United Arab Emirates airline carrier Etihad Airlines. Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers as the company announced that its Airbus A380 will offer hotel-style bedrooms. AFP PHOTO /KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
INDIA-ECONOMY-AVIATION(18 of44)
Flight attendants are pictured at the bar of the executive suite cabin of an Emirates Airbus A380, the world\'s largest passenger airliner, during a photo call at the India Aviation 2014 airshow at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on March 12, 2014. The fourth edition of India Aviation, a five day event scheduled to run from March 12-16, more than 250 exhibitors will showcase the latest global aerospace technology offering business opportunities in India. AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOAH SEELAM via Getty Images)
INDIA-ECONOMY-AVIATION(19 of44)
The executive suite cabin of an Emirates Airbus A380, the world\'s largest passenger airliner, is pictured during a photo call at the India Aviation 2014 airshow at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on March 12, 2014. The fourth edition of India Aviation, a five day event scheduled to run from March 12-16, more than 250 exhibitors will showcase the latest global aerospace technology offering business opportunities in India. AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOAH SEELAM via Getty Images)
INDIA-ECONOMY-AVIATION(20 of44)
A flight attendant is pictured in the executive suite cabin of an Emirates Airbus A380, the world\'s largest passenger airliner, during a photo call at the India Aviation 2014 airshow at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on March 12, 2014. The fourth edition of India Aviation, a five day event scheduled to run from March 12-16, more than 250 exhibitors will showcase the latest global aerospace technology offering business opportunities in India. AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOAH SEELAM via Getty Images)
INDIA-ECONOMY-AVIATION(21 of44)
A flight attendant is pictured in the shower spa of an Emirates Airbus A380, the world\'s largest passenger airliner, during a photo call at the India Aviation 2014 airshow at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad on March 12, 2014. The fourth edition of India Aviation, a five day event scheduled to run from March 12-16, more than 250 exhibitors will showcase the latest global aerospace technology offering business opportunities in India. AFP PHOTO/Noah SEELAM (Photo credit should read NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOAH SEELAM via Getty Images)
Korean Air Airbus A380-861 HL7622(22 of44)
(credit:Flickr:kawasakij45)
Emirates Airbus A380-861 A6-EDQ(23 of44)
(credit:Flickr:kawasakij45)
Air France A380(24 of44)
(credit:Flickr:atlanticstorm (Christopher_Griner))
Qatar Airways - Airbus A380(25 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Glyn Lowe Photoworks, 3 Million Views, Thanks)
Qatar Airways - Airbus A380(26 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Glyn Lowe Photoworks, 3 Million Views, Thanks)
A6-EDP Emirates Airbus A380 EK202 JFK-DXB 37000ft(27 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Hawkwindzoo - Steve Walsh)
Lufthansa Airbus A380(28 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Joao Carlos Medau)
Exuse me stewardess do you speak jive(29 of44)
(credit:Flickr:FearfulStills)
BA A380 under Tow @ Heathrow(30 of44)
(credit:Flickr:u07ch)
A380(31 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Beige Alert)
A380(32 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Beige Alert)
A380 Paris to LAX(33 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Panayiotis Filippou)
Airbus A380(34 of44)
(credit:Flickr:NH53)
Airbus A380-841 Lufthansa D-AIMI(35 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Curimedia | P H O T O G R A P H Y)
Emirates Airbus A380-861 A6-EDQ(36 of44)
(credit:Flickr:kawasakij45)
Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 (Frankfurt am Main)(37 of44)
(credit:Flickr:dirkvorderstrasse)
BA A380 - First Class(38 of44)
(credit:Flickr:inkiboo)
Korean Air Airbus A380-861 HL 7619(39 of44)
(credit:Flickr:kawasakij45)
A380 Lufthansa Frankfurt(40 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Amiga-Commodore)
Emirates A380 on Heathrow Tarmac(41 of44)
(credit:Flickr:MrT HK)
Korean Air Airbus A380-861 HL 7621(42 of44)
(credit:Flickr:kawasakij45)
F-HPJH Air France Airbus A380 AF66 CDG-LAX 34000ft-2(43 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Hawkwindzoo - Steve Walsh)
Airbus A380(44 of44)
(credit:Flickr:Miguel Mendez)
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