Hey gamers! Ever noticed those tempting snack and drink ads popping up during your favorite Twitch streams? Turns out, they’re not just background noise—they’re influencing what you eat more than you might think.
The Power of In-Game Advertising
Recent research from the University of Liverpool has shed light on how food and drink promotions on platforms like Twitch are impacting our eating habits. In a study analyzing 52 hours of popular Twitch streams, researchers found an average of 2.6 food-related cues per hour, with each lasting about 20 minutes. A whopping 70.7% of these were for branded high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products, especially energy drinks. What’s more, nearly all of these ads (97.7%) didn’t disclose they were advertisements.
Why It Matters
These subtle yet persistent ads are more than just visuals; they’re shaping our preferences and consumption patterns. The study revealed that exposure to such marketing is linked to a higher preference for and intake of these HFSS foods among teens. This means that the more we’re exposed to these ads, the more likely we are to crave and consume unhealthy snacks.
Stay Informed, Make Conscious Choices
While it’s fun to enjoy streams and gaming sessions, it’s essential to be aware of how marketing strategies might be influencing your choices. Here are some tips to stay on top of your game:
Recognize the Ads: Be mindful of product placements and promotions during streams.
Make Informed Choices: Opt for healthier snacks and drinks, even when tempted by flashy ads.
Balance is Key: Enjoy your gaming, but don’t let it dictate your diet.
By staying informed and making conscious decisions, you can enjoy your gaming experience without letting sneaky ads control your cravings. Game on!
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How Gaming Ads Shape Your Snacks
Hey gamers! Ever noticed how you suddenly crave chips or an energy drink halfway through a long Twitch stream? It’s not random — gaming ads are working harder on you than you think.
A study from the University of Liverpool looked into how food and drink promotions appear during popular Twitch streams — and the findings are eye-opening. Across 52 hours of streams, researchers found an average of 2.6 food-related cues per hour, each lasting around 20 minutes. About 70% of these were ads for high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products — mostly energy drinks and snacks. Even more surprising? Nearly 98% of them weren’t labeled as ads at all.
These subtle, nonstop cues can influence what we eat without us realizing it. The study showed that repeated exposure to this kind of marketing is linked to higher cravings and consumption of unhealthy snacks, especially among teens and young adults.
So how can you stay one step ahead?
Spot the sneaky ads. If a streamer always “happens” to drink a certain brand, it’s probably a paid promotion.
Choose smart snacks. Keep water or fruit nearby instead of reaching for the usual sugar rush.
Balance it out. Enjoy your stream, but don’t let the ads play mind games with your diet.
Gaming is fun — but being aware of what’s influencing your choices makes you the real player in control.
Game smart, snack smarter.