Physiology of taste and food acceptance by infants

Abstract

Taste allows to human beings to detect and to distinguish food, setting a nutritive diet by means of the gustatory signs that balance the quantity and the quality of meals. The physiology of taste has been studied since intrauterine life, concerning its important role in the future dietary pattern of the child. As food intake is directly related to oral health, it is recommended that dentists know and help parents to select their own and their children dietary pattern. The present article reviews research about the physiology of taste and the process of food acceptance by infants according to their metabolic needs, with the aim of giving health professionals a set of additional information on this subject.

Keywords

• Taste. Child. Nutrition