How early exposure to bitter foods affects taste sensitivity in adults
Official title: Influence of early exposure to bitter foods on bitter taste sensitivity in adulthood
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11066888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how letting kids try bitter foods early on might help them enjoy those flavors more as adults, using a rodent model to see how a mother's diet affects her babies' taste preferences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $33,833 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022177-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who were exposed to a variety of foods during childhood, particularly bitter foods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had early exposure to bitter foods or those with specific dietary restrictions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early exposure to bitter foods during childhood influences taste sensitivity in adulthood. By using a rodent model, the study will explore the effects of maternal diet on offspring's acceptance of bitter flavors. The researchers aim to understand if repeated exposure to bitter tastes can enhance acceptance and preference for these foods later in life. This could provide insights into dietary habits and preferences that impact health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help develop strategies to increase vegetable consumption and improve dietary habits in adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early dietary exposure can influence food preferences, but this specific approach using a rodent model is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ascencio Gutierrez, Verenice — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Ascencio Gutierrez, Verenice
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.