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The Unlikely Relationship Between Sugar and Growth Spurts

Why kids like sugar more than adults

Aside from cartoon marathons and late bedtimes, little is adored by kids more than sweet foods. But what causes a preference for sugar in children that doesn't appear as strongly in adults? Scientists at the Monell Center have conducted research that links an affinity for sweet treats to growth patterns in children, finding that children in periods of more rapid growth have a higher preference for candy and other sugary foods. The Eater team visited the Monell Center recently to learn more; watch the video above to tag along.

The Monell Center is a non-profit, independent research institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to studying taste, smell, and chemosensory irritation. Scientists at the Center direct their findings toward advancements across disciples, from health and medicine to the environment to human behavior.

For more food science videos from Eater in conjunction with the Monell Center, click here.

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