Curry
The recent increase in Brits turning to takeaways could be driven by something more than hunger, according to research carried out by www.Just-Eat.co.uk, the UK’s leading online takeaway portal. An accompanying study of 1,185 people conducted by the site has found that 92% of Brits say that they feel ‘happier’ after eating a takeaway.
Takeaways such as Vindaloo, Madras and Thai curry are among the takeaway meals most associated with stress-relief, with their mix of endorphin releasing red chilli peppers and serotonin-rich mood-enhancing vegetables, notably tomatoes. 84% of the participants in the study mentioned that the fact they didn’t have to cook when ordering in was a factor in improving their mood.
When asked, “Have you ordered takeaway food more regularly recently when compared to the same time last year?” just over three in five, 61%, agreed.
The top five mood-improving curries, decided by Just-Eat meal experts comparing restaurant cooking methods and included ingredients are as follows:
1. Chicken/Beef Madras
2. Vindaloo
3. Thai red curry
4. Pasanda
5. Jalfrezi
Online ordering portal Just-Eat have seen a 250% takeaway order increase across their 2480 UK partnered restaurants since the recession when compared to the same time last year, with the site now servicing more than 40,000 meal orders every day.
Marketing Manager Ash Ali comments that news in the press of ‘depressed Britain’ led the company to investigate further to establish whether or not the huge rise in sales was attributable to the nation’s need to reduce stress levels.
David Buttress, CEO of Just-Eat.co.uk had the following to say,
“Without sugaring the pill, the recession has been hugely stressful for many people in the UK. Despite this, we have seen a huge rise in sales, over 250% in fact, compared to the same time last year.
“Despite it being common knowledge that exercise increases the release of endorphins helping improve mood, not many are aware that eating certain foods, including many curries can affect us in exactly the same way, which could explain why Brits have been ordering in their droves.
“The supplementary study proves that the public are cheered up by a good curry, not least for the fact it gives hard-working Brits an evening off from cooking!”
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