Changing tastes..or how I learned to love carrots.
Just a light hearted topic...
I was gazing at my plate of peas, carrots & brussel sprouts, when I realised that every single item on my plate, represented food that I detested as a child.
Maybe because I am growing older, I find myself actually loving to eat these things. Yum !
Apparently our taste buds change as we get older.
At the same time some of the things I loved eating in childhood still taste very nice. like Ice~cream, hotdogs, patato chips, & pizza. ( but I have to watch those calories
So how have your taste buds changed ?
Or do you still like & dislike the same sorts of food stuffs?
I was gazing at my plate of peas, carrots & brussel sprouts, when I realised that every single item on my plate, represented food that I detested as a child.
Maybe because I am growing older, I find myself actually loving to eat these things. Yum !
Apparently our taste buds change as we get older.
At the same time some of the things I loved eating in childhood still taste very nice. like Ice~cream, hotdogs, patato chips, & pizza. ( but I have to watch those calories
So how have your taste buds changed ?
Or do you still like & dislike the same sorts of food stuffs?
Comments
Originally posted by Aquafire
Just a light hearted topic...
I was gazing at my plate of peas, carrots & brussel sprouts, when I realised that every single item on my plate, represented food that I detested as a child.
But strangely I actually love these things. Yum !
Apparently our taste buds change as we get older.
At the same time some of the things I loved eating in childhood still taste very nice. like Ice~cream, hotdogs, patato chips, & pizza. ( but I have to watch those calories
So how have your taste buds changed ?
Or do you still like & dislike the same sorts of food stuffs?
As I understand it, the body gets completely new tastebuds every 7 years, hence a changing of tastes. I'm too lazy late-night too look up supporting links, but i will tomorrow.
however, I've always liked carrots, and peas ain't bad either.
when I was little someone told me carrots improve your eyesight, so I used to eat them ALL the time, in my family, only me and my eldest brother don't need glasses, and both have beyond 20/20 vision
one "food kids don't like" that I still don't like, no matter how much I try, is cauliflower...I like broccoli, but cauliflower just doesn't do it for me.
I used to dislike olives too(felt like I was eating an eyeball or something) but now I really love them.
I've heard that your tastebuds die as you get older, but I can't back that either
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
I'm no a big fan of brussel sprouts, they aren't bad, but I like other things more.
I used to hate them when I was a kid. I hated them so much that I devised a plan to stop eating them. For several weeks when my mom made them (once a week?) I asked for seconds. I ate so many my mom and dad thought I liked them.
Then after they believed I liked them I started to say things like "I don't feel like eating any sprouts tonight." And my parents never thought twice about it. I watched my siblings eat them but I haven't had one since.
I bet I'd like them now though, but on principle I won't eat them.
- Orange Juice / Citrus stuff
- Coffee
- Leafy vegetables
- Mushy vegetables
I still don't enjoy vegetables, but I'll eat beans and brocolli if they're on my plate. My favorites are still easily separated into meats and fruits. Possibly because I've always had oversensitive sour tastes buds and a dearth of sweet taste buds.
Of course, I will eat anything that's on my plate. I maintain that tastes are purely mental. Every now and then I'll have a contest where I'll have people make me a bowl of edible items. Last time it was orange juice, chicken soup, flounder, broccoli, cheese whiz, tobasco, and chocolate ice cream. Really, not bad at all.
Though on the matter of pleasure, I have acquired several tastes, though, namely beer, coffee to the extent that I can manage it, and cough medicine. especially the green NyQuill. tastes just like Jager.
I used to like sweets, but my tastes have soured. Whereas "French" dressing was du jour as a child, I now like vinaigrettes, and the only junk food I ever buy (aside from cheese) is Salt & Vinegar potato chips.
Then there is the sushi, Thai food, Indian food, etc. which I would have despised as a child...
Originally posted by DMBand0026
The only thing that I have ever eaten, and I've eaten a lot of stuff, that I don't like is mushrooms.
Honestly, I have never been able to digest mushrooms...they make me feel ill..but you'll be pleased to know that recent tests carried out on mushrooms found that they contain absolutely no Vitamin b12 or iron.
It turns out that all the samples originally tested in the 1970's ( & from which all health specialists quote )were contaminated with horse manure.
So much for eating mushrooms for health....
If you give it time you will come to love green tea.
Fellows
Originally posted by FellowshipChurch iBook
Green tea is something that I have grown to love. It has an earthy flavor that not all like on first glance.
If you give it time you will come to love green tea.
Fellows
you know Fellows, ever since you mentioned it in an earlier post, the thought of having a cup of "green tea" has been {i]brewing[/i] on my mind...
I'll give it a go over the week end.
Ps Scuse my pun....
Originally posted by FellowshipChurch iBook
Green tea is something that I have grown to love. It has an earthy flavor that not all like on first glance.
If you give it time you will come to love green tea.
Fellows
Does green tea have caffeine in it? I like tea and would love the heath benefits of the green tea, but I don't consume caffeine. Thats right boys and girls, no pop (or soda/soda pop/coke for those of you not from the midwest) no coffee, limited amounts of chocolate. I'm a real health nut.
Originally posted by DMBand0026
Does green tea have caffeine in it? I like tea and would love the heath benefits of the green tea, but I don't consume caffeine. Thats right boys and girls, no pop (or soda/soda pop/coke for those of you not from the midwest) no coffee, limited amounts of chocolate. I'm a real health nut.
Green tea does have a very low amount of caffeine but it does have it.
Hundreds of studies exist showing the many health benefits of green tea.
But what makes it the most consumed beverage in the world after water is
its pleasant taste and relaxation effect. Both of these qualities-and
more-can be traced to a unique, neurologically-active amino acid in tea
called L-theanine (gamma-ethylamino-L-glutamic acid).
L-theanine is a free (non-protein) amino acid found almost exclusively
in tea plants (Camellia sp.), constituting between 1 and 2-percent of
the dry weight of tea leaves. It is the predominant amino acid in green
tea leaves, giving tea its characteristic umami or "5th taste" (besides
the four traditional tastes: sweet, salty, acid, and bitter). Attempts
to isolate the L-theanine, with its physical and neurological benefits,
from the tea leaves were once difficult, expensive, and inefficient.
Economically feasible methods of producing the identical L-theanine now
exist and do not require a mountain of tea leaves.
Physiological Effects
The calming effect of green tea may seem contradictory to the
stimulatory property of tea's caffeine content but it can be explained
by the action of L-theanine. This amino acid actually acts
antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine on the
nervous system. (1) Research on human volunteers has demonstrated that
L-theanine creates a sense of relaxation in approximately 30-40 minutes
after ingestion via at least two different mechanisms. First, this amino
acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a
state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is
achieved through meditation. Second, L-theanine is involved in the
formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid
(GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters,
dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect. (2)
Alpha Brain Activity
The brain emits weak electrical impulses (brain waves) that can be
measured on the surface of the head. The predominant frequency of
electrical impulses correlates with different types of mental states and
activities. Brain waves are classified into four categories (delta,
theta, alpha, and beta)-each with an associated mental state (Fig. 1).
Delta is seen only in the deepest stages of sleep. Theta is seen in
light sleep and drowsiness. Alpha is present in wakefulness where there
is a relaxed and effortless alertness and Beta is seen in highly
stressful situations and where there is difficulty in mental
concentration and focus. It is well known that alpha brain waves are
generated during a relaxed state and therefore alpha waves are used as
an index of relaxation.
In one study of these mental responses to L-theanine, brain wave
topography showed that alpha waves were observed from the back to the
top of a person's head (occipital and parietal regions of the brain)
within approximately 40 minutes after the subjects had taken either 50
or 200 mg of L-theanine. In a separate study, the intensity of alpha
waves were determined to be dose dependent (with a 200 mg dose showing a
significant increase over controls) and detectable after 30 minutes.
(2,3)
Additional Benefits
L-theanine has a significant effect on the release or reduction of
neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, resulting in improved
memory and learning ability. L-theanine may also influence emotions due
to its effects on the increased release of dopamine. L-theanine reduces
brain serotonin concentration by either curtailing serotonin synthesis
or increasing degradation in the brain.
The regulation of blood pressure is partly dependent upon
catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons in both the brain and the
peripheral nervous system. Studies on spontaneously hypertensive rats
(SHR) showed an impressive blood pressure lowering effect with
L-theanine. The lowered blood pressure effect was dose-dependent with
the highest test dose creating the most significant drop. L-glutamine
was used as one of the controls. Although L-glutamine is similar in
chemical structure to L-theanine, it did not exhibit an
anti-hypertensive effect (Fig. 2). (3)
Preliminary studies report that L-theanine has been found to increase
the anti-tumor activity of some chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin and
idarubicin) and to ameliorate some of the side effects of these drugs.
It appears to increase the inhibitory concentration of these drugs in
the tumor cells, although the mechanism is not known. At the same time,
L-theanine decreased oxidative stress caused by these agents on the
normal cells, possibly due to its mild antioxidant activity. In this
regard, L-theanine has been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation,
catalyzed by copper, in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro. (4)
Stress Relief
Stress and anxiety are debilitating conditions that upset the balance of
our hormones leading to a loss of our well-being, performance, and even
lifespan. Stress impairs the immune system, leaving us vulnerable to
opportunistic infections, and can cause depression. In 1998,
pharmaceutical sales of anti-anxiety drugs totaled over 700 million
dollars, while sales of antidepressants totaled close to 5 billion
dollars! People under stress can mitigate many of the harmful effects of
stress with L-theanine without becoming sedated in the process.
L-theanine doesn't make one drowsy, nor does it promote sleep because
this amino acid does not produce theta waves in the brain. It should be
noted that if an individual were already relaxed, taking L-theanine
would not produce further relaxation.
Status and Usage
L-theanine has just recently been introduced to the U.S. market. Japan
is credited with most of the clinical studies and information we possess
thus far on L-theanine but research is ongoing. We do know that it is
absorbed from the small intestine via a sodium-coupled active transport
process. It crosses the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by the mental
effects. L-theanine competes for absorption in the intestinal tract and
the brain with the amino acids found in the methionine group (leucine,
isoleucine, and valine), however the concentrations of amino acids are
unchanged by simultaneous ingestion of L-theanine.
L-theanine is extremely safe. There are no dietary limits on L-theanine
intake by the Japan Food Additive Association. In 1964, the Japanese
Ministry of Health and Welfare approved L-theanine for unlimited use in
all foods, with the exception of infant foods.
The intended use of L-theanine is that of a mental and physical relaxant
that does not induce drowsiness. Although there is no set schedule for
taking L-theanine, it may generally be taken at the first signs of
stress. Based on the results of the clinical studies, L-theanine is most
effective in the range of 50-200 mg, with the effect being felt within
30 minutes and lasting for 8-10 hours. Individuals with high stress
levels may increase their dosage of L-theanine to at least 100 mg, with
no more than 600 mg being taken in a six hour period. FDA recommends a
maximum dose of 1200 mg daily, although the reason for this limit is not
clear, due to its demonstrated safety. There are no known adverse
reactions to L-theanine and no drug interactions have been reported.
L-theanine is not affected by food and may be taken anytime, as needed.
Because it has a mild taste, capsules may be opened and dissolved in
water. Although it is probably safe for pregnant women and nursing
mothers, we discourage its use by them pending conclusive research.
Conclusion
Research into L-theanine derived from the contradictory observation that
green tea, with its high caffeine content, produces a very calming
effect. The seemingly multi-dimensional reasons for this relaxation
effect will continue to be studied. Current areas of ongoing research
include using L-theanine as an alternative to Ritalin in children and
adults, as a treatment for PMS, in controlling certain conditions of
high blood pressure, in sharpening mental acuity and concentration, and
as an anti-cancer agent alone and in synergy with other cancer-fighting
agents. L-theanine may find another area of application for its use as a
supplement in reducing the negative side effects of caffeine brought on
by the over-consumption of coffee, soft drinks, or other
caffeine-containing substances.
References
1. Kakuda T, Nozawa A, Unno T, et al. Inhibiting effects of theanine on
caffeine stimulation evaluated by EEG in the rat. Biosci Biotechno
Biochem 2000; 64:287-293.
2. Mason R. 200 mg of Zen; L-theanine boosts alpha waves, promotes alert
relaxation. Alternative & Complementary Therapies 2001,April; 7:91-95
3. Juneja LR, Chu D-C, Okubo T, et al. L-theanine a unique amino acid of
green tea and its relaxation effect in humans. Trends Food Sci Tech
1999; 10:199-204.
4. Yokozawa T, Dong E. Influence of green tea and its three major
components upon low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Exp Toxicol Pathol
1997; 49(5):329-335.
Fellows