Eli5: Do our tastebuds actually “change” as we get older? Who do kids dislike a certain food, then start liking it as an adult?

Question

When I was a kid, I did not like spicy food. Now an adult, I love it.

In: 2025

Answer 1

Yes. As a defense against poison, children are born more sensitive to bitter and spicy flavours, because those are usually what poisons taste like. Its so our stupid little child brains learn not to eat them again. That’s also why kids hate vegetables. They taste more bitter to children.