THAT’S WHY kids don’t like Brussels sprouts
No matter how healthy Brussels sprouts may be, most children avoid the green vegetable balls on the lunch table. Our recommendation: be understanding with your little ones and don’t try to force them to eat. Because the aversion to cabbage has a very natural reason. In other words: it’s not your child’s fault that they simply don’t like Brussels sprouts. This also applies to various other types of cabbage, such as cauliflower, kale, savoy cabbage and romanesco.
The reason? Cabbage tastes bitter. Children in particular feel this. And by nature, our bodies are critical of bitter foods because they could be potentially toxic. The consequence? You can literally chase most children with Brussels sprouts.
S-methyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide is responsible for the bitter taste in Brussels sprouts. When this substrate comes into contact with our saliva, sulphur-like substances are formed. Children in particular do not like this taste at all, also show studies.
And when the kids grow up?
As the child grows into an adult, the aversion to Brussels sprouts often disappears over the years. How high the concentration of sulfur compounds in the saliva is hardly plays a role in adulthood. Over the years and decades, our palate gets used to the slightly bitter taste of various types of cabbage.