How Your Genes Influence Your Taste
And how scientists may become able to alter our perception of taste in the future
My brother is the pickiest eater I’ve ever known. Most of my family thought his palette would expand as he got older, but his preferences as an adult haven’t changed much. I can describe his diet in two words: bland and repetitive. I don’t judge him for it; people like what they like, but I do find it curious because I enjoy many food types and flavors. So it makes me wonder, how much of our food preferences are genetic?
Luckily, experts are already finding out. In fact, recent studies focusing on the relationship between genes and diet discovered nearly 500 genes that seem to influence which foods we eat. As research continues, scientists could use a person’s genetics to design individualized nutrition plans to help prevent diseases and improve health outcomes.
Why We Like the Foods We Like
On the surface, our food preferences aren’t a big deal — we either like something, or we don’t, or maybe we like something but only under certain conditions. But really, whether you do or don’t enjoy the flavors of food is influenced by more than your tastebuds. Okay, so flavor is the top driver determining food choice, but it’s not the only factor.
