Fetuses between 32 and 36 weeks gestation appear to grimace over kale and smile for carrots, according to a small study out of the U.K. that examines how fetuses react to flavours.
Example of laughter-face gestalt of a carrot-exposed fetus: baseline, laughter-face as indicated by FM6 "cheek raiser" and FM12 "lip-corner puller." Image credit: Department of Psychology, Durham University
“We think that this repeated exposure to flavours before birth could help to establish food preferences post-birth, which could be important when thinking about messaging around healthy eating and the potential for avoiding ‘food-fussiness’ when weaning,” said lead researcher Beyza Ustun with Durham University’s Department of Psychology in a statement.
“It could be argued that repeated prenatal flavour exposures may lead to preferences for certain flavour profiles … Future studies need to follow up with postnatal behavioural analyses to assess how prenatal flavour exposure can exert influences on postnatal food preferences in the short and long term.”
In the latest study, researchers found that, within a brief period, the flavours in the capsules were digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, then metabolized, reaching fetal chemoreceptors in about half an hour.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Light, fluffy Carrot Cake Loaf a sweet seasonal changeThe flavour of this loaf is much lighter than traditional carrot cake.
Read more »
Missing Georgia mom found dead, naked and burned in ravineA missing Georgia mom who was found dead earlier this month was discovered naked with severe burns on her body, “grasping a small tree.”
Read more »
Missing Georgia mom found dead, naked and burned in ravineA missing Georgia mom who was found dead earlier this month was discovered naked with severe burns on her body, “grasping a small tree.”
Read more »
Toxic chemicals found in school uniforms across North AmericaA new study found toxic ‘forever’ chemicals were present in children’s school uniforms among other outdoor and stain-repellent clothes.
Read more »
Why are lakes becoming less blue?Climate change is leading to lakes becoming less blue, with many at risk of permanently turning green-brown, a new study has found.
Read more »
COVID-19 raises risk of long-term brain injury, U.S. study findsThe year-long study, published in Nature Medicine, assessed brain health across 44 different disorders using medical records without patient identifiers from millions of U.S. veterans
Read more »