Some meat eaters feel disgusted by meat, according to a new study.

University of Exeter scientists showed food pictures to more than 700 people, including omnivores (who eat meat and other foods), flexitarians (who try to eat less meat) and vegetarians.

About 7% of meat eaters (15% of flexitarians and 3% of omnivores) had a «fairly strong disgust response» to images of meat dishes commonly eaten in the UK, like roast chicken or bacon.

As a group, omnivores rated meat images about twice as disgusting on average as pictures of carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, chips and rice.

Based on the findings, the researchers say harnessing the «yuk factor» may be more effective than relying on willpower for anyone who wants to eat less meat.

«We were surprised to find that so many people are grossed out by meat — even people who eat meat all the time,» said Elisa Becker, of the University of Exeter.

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