24 May,2009 12:35 PM IST | | PTI
Sweet stuff attracts boys more than girls, says a new study. Researchers at University of Copenhagen in Denmark have carried out the study and found that though girls have a finer sense of taste than boys, the latter have a sweeter tooth, The Daily Telegraph reported.
According to them, on average boys need 10 per cent more sourness and 20 per cent more sweetness in their grub to recognise how tasty it is. But, boys prefer wild and extreme tastes compared to the muted flavours favoured by girls. In fact, the researchers have based their findings on an analysis of the tasting ability of 9,000 schoolchildren by giving them a sample testing kit and asking them questions on their food habits.
Surprisingly, 30 per cent of the participants said they would prefer non sugary soft drinks. Meanwhile, the greatest shift in recognising taste comes between the ages of 13-14 years, when children become sensitive to sourness and their love of sweetness starts to wane. It is why many young teens claim they are not fussy eaters, the study revealed.
Lead researcher Bodil Allesen-Holm said the results provided food for thought for the food industry and parents. "According to the findings, healthy snacks could easily be developed for boys with slightly extreme and sour flavours." The study was carried out in assistance with a team from the Danish Science Communication.
