Your kid may not be making excuses when she says that broccoli tastes bad

by Jenifer Scharpen (Subscribe to Jenifer Scharpen's posts) Sep 29th 2006 7:03AM

Two recent studies (one published in the 84th volume of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and another funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) both conclude that people with sensitive taste buds cannot stomach the flavors produced by foods that contain glucosinolates.

Glucosinolates are found in broccoli, bok choi, kohlrabi, turnips, Brussels sprouts, mustard and other foods with a bitter or sharp taste. It's possible that some glucosinolates help prevent cancer, even though they can also be toxic. From an article at NutraIngredients.com:

'Scientists have long assumed that bitter taste evolved as a defence mechanism to detect potentially harmful toxins in plants. And the research, published in the September 19 issue of the journal Current Biology (Vol. 16, R792-R794), claims to be the first paper to provide direct evidence in support of this hypothesis.'

The NIDCD's study took three groups of people with sensitive, insensitive and intermediate bitter taste receptors and found that the group with the sensitive taste buds rated the glucosinolate foods as 60% more bitter than those with insensitive taste buds, while the groups rated the non-glucosinolate foods equally bitter.

What does this all mean? Well, I suppose it means that we inherit our like or dislike of foods like broccoli, and perhaps not everything that is good for you will taste good to you.

I'd like to see a study of women with severe morning sickness and see if they have sensitive taste buds, too.

(Thanks to Amanda for the tip!)

Comments (26)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Matthew Miller 9-29-2006 @ 7:57AM

Then, of course, thanks to the beauty of being too smart for our own good, many humans learn to *like* bitter as a taste. Mmm, black coffee.

Jenny 9-29-2006 @ 9:02AM

All I know is that if I put a little soy sauce and black bean sauce on the broccoli, my kids will munch down the florets like they are going out of style.

ann adams 9-29-2006 @ 9:35AM

I believe the study because so many kids don't like broccoli but all of mine love it.

They won't, however, touch a Brussels sprout, no matter what I cover it with. I'm not fond of them either so no big deal. I buy them once in a while to see if taste buds have changed.

Not so far.

suburban misfit 9-29-2006 @ 11:26AM

Hey, Ann, try shredding them and sauteeing them with just about anything (balsamic vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, etc.). Just cook them until they're limp. A lot of people prefer them that way. I also have a really good breaded brussels sprouts recipe. If you're interested, email me.

thordora 9-29-2006 @ 12:05PM

I guess I would have died in the woods, since as I child I LIKED every nasty food most kids hated, up to and including Liver and broccoli (or little trees as I called them)

I can stomach about 5 brussel sprouts, and then my stomach starts to warn me like when I've had too much coleslaw.

makes sense. I've also read that toddlers are picky eaters to prevent accidental poisioning from ingesting the wrong berries.

VL 9-29-2006 @ 1:15PM

"I've also read that toddlers are picky eaters to prevent accidental poisioning from ingesting the wrong berries."

Well that would explain why my toddler went from being a walking garbage disposal to only eating bread, cottage cheese, and applesauce. Arg...

I will say that broccoli is one of the few vegetables my kids will sometimes eat (with cheddar cheese on top, of course). They don't eat the "sweet" types that most kids like: carrots, sweet potatoes, squash. They are strictly brocolli, corn, and peas kids. I've gotten stealthy though: I process the vegetables to little bits and add them to sauces and casseroles and they have no idea. I've also found that most kids will eat raw brocolli dipped in peanut butter. We call it "trees in mud."

ann adams 9-29-2006 @ 3:27PM

VL - I grind raw veggies and smuggle them into meatloaf although the girls will eat them as is. Including raw potatoes. They'll munch on raw onions too. Makes it very difficult to make stew or soup - the veggies vanish before my eyes. Believe me, I'm not complaining.

Suburban Misfit - I think I have your email address - if not, I'll leave a note on the blog.

They're so unfussy about their food I let them slide on a few things but if I can add Brussels sprouts to the list, so much the better. I think it's the appearance more than the taste that bothers them because they like cooked or raw cabbage.

VL 9-29-2006 @ 8:59PM

I am so jealous ann! I LOVE vegetables (raw potatoes are my favorite snack!) and we are vegetarians so my kids resistance to veggies is especially challenging (and frustrating!). I keep telling myself that SOMEDAY they will grow out of this if I just keep trying.

Ginny 9-30-2006 @ 8:05AM

I agree with Jenny. My kids won't touch broccoli unless we get it from the Chinese Restaurant. In that case, they will eat it right up.

Jody 10-05-2006 @ 2:22PM

I myself have the same sensitivity. But mine goes a little farther. I cannot stand the texture of certain veggies and some other foods. But mostly veggies. My twins,who were premmies, have inherited this wonderful sensitivity 10 fold. They cannot stand the taste, texture, smell or the look of some foods. They used to even vomit if they put something in their mouths that they could not handle. Now they just kindly gag.

Sharon 10-05-2006 @ 2:50PM

I also have a sensitity to not just the tastes of certain vegetables but to the textures. Growing up, my parents thought I was making it all up! But to this day, those things I said I did not like are still the very things I refuse to eat. And the top of my list? Broccoli! I find it way too acidic and bitter... Finally a study that proves I was not lying when I was a kid! What took them so long???

Norma 10-05-2006 @ 3:15PM

I wish someone would do the same study and explain to me why I can't stomach the taste of fish....if it touches my tongue I have to spit it out. Wish I could eat it since it would open up a whole new world to me and I know about it's health benefits. Anyone?

Jenn 10-05-2006 @ 3:17PM

We always ate broccoli when I was growing up - I like it steamed the best. What we didn't have was peas. The taste, texture, and smell of peas (unless they're in fried rice with other veggies) is totally disgusting to both me and my mom. Raw potatoes are my favorite but I was only allowed one piece.

K 10-05-2006 @ 4:05PM

I never "grew" into liking anything that I didn't like as a child. I am what is known as a "super-taster" and I don't like most vegetables. Corn and potatoes are the only cooked ones I can eat. A few more raw but that's it. My parents used to laugh at me because I could pick the tiniest bit of onion out of anything mom tried to put them in. Broccoli and anything greener than iceberg lettuce are putrid to me. Texture is a big thing with me too. I like orange slices (with ALL the white stuff removed of course) but I just can't eat orange wedges.

Linda 10-05-2006 @ 3:43PM

My kids always ate their Brussel Sprouts and still do. (they're in their 30's now)
Here's an easy recipe:
Boil or steam the sprouts 'till tender
Pour off the water and keep the lid on
Mix together a good dollop of mayo, parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice and about a 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed
Put on top of the hot sprouts in the pot
Toss around and serve.

Mo 10-05-2006 @ 4:28PM

I looooooooooved broccoli, until I became pregnant. The smell alone deters me from eating it. I never liked brussel sprouts or turnips. I hope my kid will like broccoli, even though I will not eat it during this pregnancy. This article was pretty interesting.

Eleanor Cesena 10-05-2006 @ 4:05PM

My husband and 4 kids hated broccoli, now they love it.
Quick easy recipe. Steam broccoli with minced garlic.
Pour off water.Mix breadcrumbs,grated cheese,and mayo or ranch dressing together and mix with broccoli and serve.

Gail 10-05-2006 @ 4:29PM

My kids LOVE broccoli. I use only fresh broccoli seasoned with Nature's Seasoning and steamed until soft, then flavored with lots of fresh lemon.
My trick with brussels sprouts was to slit them almost in half and insert a little pat of butter/margarine, then a tiny sprinkle of salt on top. Really improves the flavor.

Bill Petersen 10-05-2006 @ 4:50PM

Most comments are about the fickle palates of children. I'm 60 and still find broccoli so intensely bitter that I gag on it. I eat many vegetables I don't "like," but I absolutely cannot swallow broccoli. To Matthew, who thinks it's just an aquired taste, like coffee, put a tablespoon of instant coffee in your mouth and try to swallow it. I can do that (college all-nighter trick) but, to me, broccoli is many times more bitter.

Barbara Demetrius-Lallas 10-05-2006 @ 5:26PM

I have the greatest tip for getting your children and/or adults to eat broccoli frequently. Boil, drain, then add either olive oil or a tbl. spoon of smart balance. Squeeze fresh (never bottled) lemon on. Add a touch of salt, pepper and garlic powder(granulated, but optional). Mix together and serve!! I have never had any of my three daughter's friends refuse it. In fact, they have seconds.. You could also sprinkle some dry dill and/or melt a nice cheese such as havarti. (It's a good source of calcium!) Opa!!

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