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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Taste Preference Assay for Adult Drosophila
Published on: September 8, 2016
The evolution of taste and perinatal programming of taste preferences
Š Podzimek1, M Dušková, Z Broukal
1Institute of Dental Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic. mduskova@endo.cz.
Abstract:
Taste is important for food intake. The fetus first experiences taste through amniotic fluid, and later via mother's milk. Early human experience with taste has a key importance for later acceptance of food. Dietary behavior is determined by the interaction of many different factors. The development of the olfactory and taste receptors begins at 7-8 weeks of gestation. An early sensitive period probably exists when flavor preference is established. Sweet taste is preferred in early childhood; this is the reason why children are at increased risk of over-consuming saccharides. Gustatory sensitivity declines with age. The threshold for the perception of each basic taste differs, and is established genetically. In this review, we summarize published data on taste preferences and its development and changes during life.
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