Prenatal Veggie Exposure May Shape Children’s Food Preferences

A new study suggests that early exposure to certain flavors in the womb may shape a child's preferences for vegetables years later.

Researchers from universities in the UK, France, and the Netherlands gave pregnant women capsules of kale or carrot powder. They observed fetal facial reactions via ultrasound at 32 and 36 weeks, then tracked the children after birth and again at age three.

At three years old, children exposed to carrots before birth showed a more positive reaction to carrot scent versus kale, while those exposed to kale favored its smell. The findings indicate a long-lasting odor memory.

Lead author Nadja Reissland of Durham University says this could help parents encourage vegetable acceptance, though researchers caution the study had a small sample size and more work is needed.