Fuel for the brain: investigating the relationship between age and sweetness preference in different non-human primate species

As obesity and overweight are increasing globally among children, many dietary programs focus on limiting sugar intake in this group. However, some researchers are concerned that such reduction strategies may have harmful consequences in young children. It is thought that children are naturally drawn to sweet foods due to the vital role sugars play in brain development. To learn more about the potential evolutionary origins behind this preference, studying our nearest evolutionary relatives can provide valuable insights. This study therefore examined the effect of age on sweetness preference across four non-human primate species. In addition, the roles of brain growth and taxonomic distance were also taken into consideration. Sweetness preference was studied in zoo-housed gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), white-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia), and Goeldi’s monkeys (Callimico goeldii) using (1) a self-designed two-choice task and (2) by observing...Show moreAs obesity and overweight are increasing globally among children, many dietary programs focus on limiting sugar intake in this group. However, some researchers are concerned that such reduction strategies may have harmful consequences in young children. It is thought that children are naturally drawn to sweet foods due to the vital role sugars play in brain development. To learn more about the potential evolutionary origins behind this preference, studying our nearest evolutionary relatives can provide valuable insights. This study therefore examined the effect of age on sweetness preference across four non-human primate species. In addition, the roles of brain growth and taxonomic distance were also taken into consideration. Sweetness preference was studied in zoo-housed gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), white-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia), and Goeldi’s monkeys (Callimico goeldii) using (1) a self-designed two-choice task and (2) by observing normal dietary intake. A self-designed method was also used to estimate the extent of completed brain growth in the studied species. The results showed no significant effects of age, brain growth, or taxonomic distance on sweetness preference. It was found, however, that sex predicted sweetness preference in some of my models. It can thus be concluded that none of the proposed hypotheses were supported. Although this study has some conceptual and methodological shortcomings, it can nevertheless provide new insights into the debate on the origins of the preference for sweetness in human children. Recommendations for future research on sweetness preference and brain-size measurement in non-human primates are provided.Show less

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Fuel for the brain: investigating the relationship between age and sweetness preference in different non-human primate species