Diners believe a meal is tastier, the more they have paid for it, US academic research has revealed.

People who eat expensive food perceive it to be tastier than the same meal offered at a lower price, the Cornell University study found.

The researchers concluded that taste perception and feelings of overeating and guilt can be manipulated by price alone.

The New York University study examined the eating habits of 139 people enjoying an Italian buffet in an upstate restaurant.

The price of the food was set by the researchers at either $4 (£2.40) or $8 (£4.70) for the all-you-can-eat meal.

The people who paid $8 for the food enjoyed their meal 11 per cent more than those who ate the “cheaper” buffet, although both ate the same amount of food.

Participants, who ate from the lesser priced buffet, did not enjoy their meal as much and reported frequent feelings of overeating and guilt about loading up their plates.

“We were fascinated to find that pricing has little impact on how much one eats, but a huge impact on how you interpret the experience,” said Brian Wansink, a prof