Scientists unravel a mysterious eating disorder
Finnish scientists: food neophobia is a 78% heritable trait that raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Finnish scientists: food neophobia is a 78% heritable trait that raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Food neophobia is the fear of new, unfamiliar foods, leading to the rejection of entire food groups. This phobia poses serious problems. The Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Tartu undertook research into this issue.
The scientists observed volunteers aged 25–74. It turned out that food neophobia is 78% a heritable trait determined by genotype. The disorder mainly occurs in children and the elderly. In many respects, food neophobia is similar to picky eating. In any case, this disorder is accompanied by a deficiency of fiber, protein, and monounsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand, an excess of saturated fats and salt is frequently observed.
People with food neophobia who participated in the study also had a poor blood fatty acid profile and elevated levels of inflammation markers. All of this increased the risk of developing cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.
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