Food-related odors have been examined for their influence on different stages of eating behavior. However, the existing evidence is mixed across different study designs, making it difficult to obtain an integrated understanding. This systematic review aimed to synthesize experimental evidence on how exposure to food odors impacts different stages of eating behavior, including appetite and food craving, food choice and preference, and intake, and to explore factors that may contribute to variability in findings. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies on olfactory cues, appetite, food craving, food choice, food preference, and food intake. Of 15579 records identified, 43 met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 14 focused on appetite and craving, 18 on food choice and preference, and 16 investigated food intake. The included studies were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to assess their quality. The results showed distinct patterns across outcomes: sensory-specific appetite and cravings were generally enhanced by food odor exposure, whereas effects on food choice and intake were less consistent and appeared to depend on factors such as individual characteristics and the mode of odor exposure. These findings provide a clearer direction for future research on how odors influence eating behavior, with the potential to inform strategies that promote healthier diets.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This work was financially supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).

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