Humans may possess innate food smarts

Humans may possess innate food smarts


The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is exceptional at choosing food that is nutritionally dense and likely to help it thrive in the wild. The same might be true for your neighbor, Steve.

New research published in the journal Appetite found that humans may have the ability to intuitively choose foods based on the different types of micronutrients the foods provide.

In the study, authors looked at whether people selected multiple food items that would provide a range of different vitamins and minerals when eaten together. Participants were shown different pictures of pairings of vegetables and fruit, and asked which they favored. In both experiments, participants picked photos that conferred a greater variety of micronutrients.

Then, when authors analyzed data from a larger diet and nutrition survey, they also found that average meal combinations people made increased the breadth of nutrients they consumed. Although there is no evidence to shed light on how a person might respond to their body’s need for a specific nutrient, British sailors who suffered from scurvy often found themselves almost immediately craving fruits and vegetables.

But sometimes, the processed food industry can capitalize on our natural knack for nutrient-sourcing. For example, our North Star of micronutrients is typically our taste buds. When processed foods are imbued with artificial flavors or synthetic flavoring, it can make the foods we’re consuming “trick” our brain into believing the foods in question are more nutritionally dense than they are.

So, although we know you know you should be eating your fruits and vegetables, you can at least trust your brain to choose the best combination of them.

Related Episodes