PSYA3 - Eating Behaviour - Evolutionary Approach

Sweet: allows us to identify carbs such as sugars - key energy source.

Sour: identify gone-off food which may be harmful.

Salt: all cells need salt to function so it's important to be able to identify it.

Bitter: associated with poisonous plant chemicals - helps us to avoid them

Umami: (recently discovered) meaty or savoury, indicates a source of protein.

Humans evolved to eat meat just after splitting from the ape-line 6 million years ago. It's a rich source of protein so allowed for the development of a larger brain = human success.

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