Nutrition Nugget: Art Galleries

[00:00:26] So I saw a headline that referenced a study that said going to art galleries may improve our wellbeing. And it's particularly funny because I went to an art show, well, I guess it was kinda more of like an art fair kind of a thing, a couple weeks ago. And walking around I said to my friend who I was there with, I was like, "This just confirms that I don't get art."

[00:00:54] Beth: Yeah.

[00:01:01] Beth: Right ...

[00:01:08] Beth: Yeah.

[00:01:16] Yeah. I- I just- It's an art. Exactly. So anyway, because that was a recent activity, when I saw the headline it gave me pause. So I skipped the article and went right to the study itself because that's who we are. So from what I can tell, it seems like it was published October 2025 from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience- Hmm

[00:01:55] Beth: Yeah.

[00:02:06] So they had 50 volunteer participants that ranged in age from 18 to 40 who viewed either original artworks at the Courtauld Gallery in London or reproductions of the same paintings in a matched but non-gallery environment.

[00:02:26] Jenn Trepeck: okay. Right? The researchers then monitored participants' heart rate variability and skin temperature to track levels of interest and arousal.

[00:02:36] Jenn Trepeck: Here's what they found. Cortisol levels fell by an average of 22% in the gallery group, while the other reproduction group saw an 8% decrease in cortisol.

[00:02:50] Jenn Trepeck: I know, right? Those viewing the original art also had more dynamic heart rate activity. They say this indicates that art [00:03:00] engages the body through both emotional arousal and stress regulation.

[00:03:34] So this, they say, suggests that art has a potential calming effect on the body's inflammatory responses. So okay, here's the thing. We know that inflammatory markers are connected to heart disease. Those in particular, those me- inflammatory markers are connected to heart disease, metabolic diseases, even mental emotional challenges.

[00:04:11] Beth: Like- No ...

[00:04:21] We don't have enough information. I think 18 to 40 is such a range. Like, and who knows what other variables there are in there. Like, I'd be curious to know- Are they artists? Like- Exactly, like more about these participants. Like, are they inclined toward art? Like- Right.

[00:04:36] Jenn Trepeck: I think for me, like if I think back to like walking through that gallery, that wasn't really a gallery, it was more of like an indoor art fair, I guess there was something kind of calming and peaceful about it, but there were also a lot of people and it was kind of like moving from artist to artist is sort of jarring depending on, you know, what's happening.

[00:04:56] Beth: Yeah. It could be what brings you joy. I mean, like if these are- Right ... people who like [00:05:00] art, I also think like if you go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in that building, if you art in that building, the building itself is an experience unto its- itself. You know? So like- Right ... like you could put reproductions in there instead of the real art.

[00:05:21] Jenn Trepeck: And I'm also unclear, like did the people seeing the reproductions know they were reproductions?

[00:05:26] Jenn Trepeck: Cause maybe that has something to do with

[00:05:38] Jenn Trepeck: Right. The vibes are different.

[00:05:44] Jenn Trepeck: Well, right. So that's another thing is like I'd be curious to compare the art gallery thing versus other activities. Right. Like, was this significantly more of an impact?

[00:06:02] Beth: Mm-hmm.

[00:06:23] So like there's a connection here that makes sense to me. There's also sort of... I don't know, this feels like a little bit of a overdramatic and at the same time simplistic view.

[00:06:40] Jenn Trepeck: So by the way, if you're curious, we have an episode all about heart rate variability from- Oh ... February of 2025. It's called Use Your Heart Rate Monitor to Improve Your Health. So you can go back to that one. I think all in though, does it hurt us to spend some time at an art gallery or looking at works of art from famous artists?

[00:07:11] Beth: No. I actually interpret it as go somewhere that brings you joy, that's an activity that is outside of your normal life things that you do.

[00:07:23] Yeah. Go do something new and novel.

[00:07:25] Jenn Trepeck: All right. I'm into it. I'm with you on that one. Perfect. Well, as always, everybody, I'm your host, Jenn Trepeck. Connect with me on Instagram or all social media. I'm @jenntrepeck, J-E-N-N-T-R-E-P-E-C-K. Website is asaladwithasideoffries.com. Pick your platform, send a message.

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