Why do we lose our sweet tooth with age?
Question
Why are men born with a sweet tooth, but lose it, yet women never lose their sweet tooth?
Glenn, Hornchurch
Answer
** Definitive **
Name: Beth, Loughton
Qualification: Used to be a midwife
Answer: In evolutionary terms, when we foraged for our own food, things that were poisonous were bitter in taste and things we could eat were sweet in taste. So therefore, babies were conditioned to like sweet things and as they grew older, they were able to accept more varied tastes in their diet.
** Alternative definitive **
Name: Rob, Fulham
Qualification: Degree in pyschology
Answer: The answer above is based upon evolutionary theory, which is a bit of a ‘Just so’ answer, finding an explanation that sounds plausible. Recent research suggests it may be related to bone growth, so children crave sweet things when their bones are growing. People whose bones are decaying through osteoperosis also seem to crave sweets.