If your kid hates veggies, maybe it's genetic

by Sarah J. Gim (Subscribe to Sarah J. Gim's posts)
Posted Jul 27th 2006 5:05PM
Filed under: Science, Vegetables, America, Health & Medical

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broccoli floret According to findings of research from Rutgers University in New Jersey, kids' acceptance and preference of rbitter tasting foods like vegetables may not be due to external influences as previously though, but controlled by genetic variations in a gene that controls for bitter flavour. Some children and adults are especially sensitive to bitter tastes due to variations in the the TAS2R38 gene.

What does this mean? The food industry may need to pay more attention to taste and sensory qualities, and you might just have to accept that you kids won't eat that broccoli.

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7-28-2006 @ 2:35PM

Al said...

I could never stand bell peppers as a child, and it's followed me into adulthood. To me, they reek of musk, especially when cooked. The weird thing is, I don't know what they're supposed to taste like, since everyone I ask has a different answer! These range from "the crispest, lightest vegetable" to "The green ones are harsh, but reds are okay" to "Oh my God, you can smell that too? I thought I was the only one!"

So what's the deal here? I don't really know if the sensitivity is genetic, since no one else in my family seems to have it.

7-28-2006 @ 9:59PM

mella said...

So glad to hear I'm not the only one who can't stand bell peppers! I'm not sure that I've noticed a "musky" flavor, but I just can't stand the things, especially raw. Believe me, it isn't easy to avoid them at restaraunts or to modify every recipe to ommit the offending vegetable. And yet, I love other bitter flavors and nearly every vegetable.

I know most moms would envy me my problems, but my two-year-old will eat any vegetable I put in front of him, and broccoli is his favorite food. But try to get him to eat a piece of meat and all heck breaks loose. Is it possible that there's a gene for this as well?

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