The habit that could make or break your relationship

There are a lot of things that can determine the success of your relationship. Money. Communication. Even the quality of your sex life. But did you know that how you cook — that's right, cook — could keep you together or tear you apart?

A recent survey — sponsored by Calphalon and conducted by Light Speed GMI — asked about 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older how they think cooking influences relationships. And it turns out, people place a very high importance on cooking.

In fact, 87 percent of those surveyed believe that cooking is one of the top activities couples can do to strengthen their relationship. Surprised? We were too. But when you delve into the survey results, it starts to make sense. That's because people put a very high value on communication too.

Almost all Americans — 98 percent, to be exact — think that communication is an essential component of a happy marriage, this survey revealed. What's more, they believe that cooking together is a great way to foster that communication. After all, who hasn't dished as they drink wine and prepare a pasta over the stove, right?

That sentiment rang true no matter what stage the respondents were in their own relationships: 88 percent of those in a serious relationship, 94 percent of those who are engaged, 89 percent of those recently married, and 84 percent who have been married for a while all agree cooking brings couples together via communication.

More than that, though, couples also think that cooking for your partner is a way to show your partner you love him or her. And takeout just won't do. 92 percent of the survey respondents believe that home cooked meals help connect partners. And 78 percent of the respondents believe that couples who cook together stay together.

We already knew that eating separately from your spouse can be detrimental to your marriage. That's because, our experts explained, eating separately sends a message to your significant other that you're not a team, and can cause conflict if you have different beliefs about food. So cooking together not only keeps couples communicating, it (hopefully) prevents them from fighting, too.

Of course, if you're not exactly America's Greatest Home Chef, your marriage isn't doomed. Remember, the key to cooking together is communicating. For you, that might look like brewing a pot of coffee and chatting as you add creamer to your respective cups. The point is, food brings people together, according to this survey. So embrace it, and chat it up in your kitchen whenever you can.