Music while you eat?

That relaxing music at your favourite restaurant might not only be good for the atmosphere.

A recent study using 78 college student volunteers in the US found that meals took longer and more energy was consumed in meals when there was music being played.

The researchers suggest music might not only be an important mood-inducing factor, which could be used as a successful marketing tool for restaurants, but also a possible influencing factor on meal duration and meal size.

Source: Appetite, November 2006