The evolution of taste and perinatal programming of taste preferences.

摘要

Taste is important for food intake. The fetus first experiencestaste through amniotic fluid, and later via mother’s milk. Earlyhuman experience with taste has a key importance for lateracceptance of food. Dietary behavior is determined by theinteraction of many different factors. The development of theolfactory and taste receptors begins at 7-8 weeks of gestation.An early sensitive period probably exists when flavor preferenceis established. Sweet taste is preferred in early childhood; this isthe reason why children are at increased risk of over-consumingsaccharides. Gustatory sensitivity declines with age. Thethreshold for the perception of each basic taste differs, and isestablished genetically. In this review, we summarize publisheddata on taste preferences and its development and changesduring life.