Since the beginning of time, we have known that environment and culture play a role in the development of the taste buds of an individual. But science has something interesting to add. Science tells us some people are genetically picky about the food they allow inside their mouths. Some neurological and psychological factors are also involved. Let’s look at them in more detail:
Picky Eating and Genes
According to various studies, it has been proven that your genes play a major role in determining if you go on to become a picky eater. One research showed children who can taste strong bitterness preferred sugary foods whereas adults who taste strong bitterness avoided those foods altogether without increasing inclination toward sugary foods. This means that age and experience can take over the genetic aspect when it comes to picky eating.
So, How Did This Phenomenon Come About?
What boggles the mind is the fact that humans love food, as it fulfills one of their most primordial needs. So, why then would people be selective about what they eat whereas they should be welcoming every kind of food? Of the many possibilities available, let’s consider the possibility of picky eating acting as a defense mechanism.
Every time a person suffers food poisoning, he/she is likely to never try that food again. Research has revealed people are more reluctant to try meat based foods than vegetable based foods. The surprising part is vegetables come with a far bigger variety of flavors than meat. The chance of people getting poisoned by vegetables is equal to meat. The deal with meat is it should be cooked properly.
Training Your Taste Buds
Social and peer influences go a long way in determining the tastes yours taste buds grow accustomed to. Our tastes change as we mature and our protein production by genes associated with taste and smell also changes and varies. Another research revealed taste buds can be taught to like unfamiliar flavors by giving foods a larger nutritional value. The body and the mind can convince each other to eat and accept new foods if those foods have the capability to deliver nutritional benefits.
Picky Eating: A Disorder
Recent studies have revealed picky eating is a clinical disorder which is not a serious threat unless it becomes one through carelessness. If somebody is eating tenfold of various foods and is still healthy, he/she cannot be said to fit the diagnosis. However, this disorder can also have serious effects where people may turn anti-social, their performance at work or school may lag, they may fall behind in relationships and it could even be related to various other psychiatric conditions.
