Children's inability to resist the temptation of candy stems from a biological instinct.
In the Grimm's fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," the house made of candy and sweets is a tool used by the witch to lure children, believing that no child can resist the temptation of candy. From fairy tales to reality, candy seems to always be a children's favorite. However, children's preference for sugar can also worry parents. The high prevalence of obesity and hypertension has led many parents to issue a "sugar ban" for their children.
In this regard, National Public Radio reported on the 26th, citing the latest research findings, that children's preference for sugar is more of an instinct than an inability to control their own desires.
"There's no sweetest, only sweeter."
"If your child can't resist reaching for the candy, remember, don't be too quick to blame them, because it's a biological instinct." said Monell, a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania. "Children don't need to learn to like sweet or salty tastes; it's an innate basic biological instinct."
Monell's team's research shows that for children, "there's no sweetest, only sweeter" is a biologically sound logic. Researchers once continuously added sugar to a glass of water until no more could dissolve, and the participating children did not find the sugar water too sweet to drink. Monell believes that for children, the sweetness brought by sugar is a good remedy for pain, which is why many hospitals provide candy for children. "Sweetness makes children feel good about themselves. They feel great when they eat sugar," Monell explained.
Goldwell, a scholar at the University of Washington who specializes in the relationship between children and sweets, further pointed out the age limit for children's preference for sugar. Goldwell's follow-up research on children who love sweets at different age groups found that as their bodies grow, bones secrete a hormone that suppresses appetite, which changes children's preference for sugar. The taste preferences of children aged 15-16 in adolescence are basically close to adults, and they no longer have an intense craving for sugary foods.
"The most important thing is to maintain a cautious balance."
Putting aside complex biological principles, loving sweets is not a child's exclusive domain. According to British media, Peggy Griffith, a 100-year-old woman from Appleshaw, Devon, is said to be the world's biggest chocolate lover, having eaten as much as 4 tons of chocolate in her lifetime. In Japan, there are dozens of branches of "Dessert Heaven," a specialty dessert buffet chain, in Tokyo, making it one of the popular places for many Japanese people.
For many office workers, "sweet tooth syndrome" is even more common, "Happiness, just one candy away." As early as 2008, Dr. Wootman from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted research showing that sugar can increase the level of serotonin in the human brain, with effects similar to antidepressants.
However, many experts also remind that although moderate sugar consumption can help relieve stress, it doesn't mean that the more you eat, the better. "When it comes to sweets, maintaining a cautious balance is the most important thing," said a Japanese medical expert.
"In a modern world full of excess calories, the craving for sugar is no longer a biological advantage for children." Monell said. "If our goal is to reduce children's sugar intake, then understanding the biological principles behind their cravings is the very first step."