Know your body: You won’t believe the number of taste buds babies have (hint: its way more than adults!)

Adding, Dr Manish Mannan, HOD Pediatrics and Neonatology, Mother and Child Unit, Paras Health, Gurugram said that additional factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, and exposure to various tastes and substances can influence the development and function of taste buds. “These changes can alter our perception of flavours and preferences, potentially leading to differences in taste perception and food preferences as we grow older,” he continued.

Infants have a more sensitive palate compared to adults, and strong flavours or spices may be overwhelming for their developing taste buds (Pic source: Freepik)

Is this why nursery food is traditionally bland?

Food for infants is traditionally bland, and it does have something to do with the fact that eating can be an intense experience for infants and young children. “The tradition of providing bland or mildly flavoured foods to infants and young children can be attributed to several factors,” said Dr Mannan, as he listed them out as:

1. Infants have a more sensitive palate compared to adults, and strong flavours or spices may be overwhelming for their developing taste buds.

2. Introducing simple and mild flavours gradually allows infants to become accustomed to different tastes and textures, promoting their acceptance of a wider variety of foods over time.

3. Offering bland foods also helps minimize the risk of allergic reactions or digestive issues that could arise from introducing highly seasoned or complex ingredients too early in their diet

Dr Mannan added, “Having more taste buds in youth might fill a need in assisting kids with fostering their feeling of taste and investigating various flavours. It could likewise be connected with the way kids frequently have more delicate palates and might be more open to specific preferences, for example, pleasantness, which can be significant for their development and improvement”.

Various factors influence how we perceive food

Taste buds change and evolve over time due to multiple factors, including ageing, dietary habits, and exposure to different types of food and drink. “It’s interesting to note that our taste preferences are influenced not only by our taste buds but also by our brain and experiences,” said Dr Kovale.

She added that a study found that our taste preferences can be influenced by our “culture, experiences, and even our memories”.

“It’s important to gradually introduce different flavors and textures to promote a diversified palate as they grow,” says Ushakiran Sisodia. (Pic source: Freepik)

“For instance, if a person had a positive experience while eating a certain food, they’re more likely to develop a preference for that food. Similarly, a negative experience can result in a food aversion. So, while our taste buds play a crucial role in our food preferences, our brain and experiences have a significant impact as well,” she continued.

Ushakiran Sisodia, Registered Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist Diet and Nutrition, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital agrees and said: “Cultural, emotional, and psychological factors also play significant roles in shaping our food choices. Our relationship with food and taste is a complex interplay of biology and environment, making it a fascinating area of study in human health and behavior.”

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