There is a scientific reason some people can't stand Brussels sprouts (2024)

FAQs

There is a scientific reason some people can't stand Brussels sprouts? ›

In fact, a 2011 study by Cornwall College found sprouts contain a chemical which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene. The research found that around 50 percent of the world's population have a mutation on this gene.

According to genomics and biotech company 23andMe, some people have a genetic variant that causes them to have more taste receptors on their tongue and to be more sensitive to a chemical called phenylthiocarbamide (PTC).

The brussel sprout shortage has been caused by a combination of factors, including extreme weather conditions in Mexico that have affected yields significantly.

Brussels sprouts fall into the Brassica oleracea family of cruciferous vegetables that also includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and collard greens. Cruciferous vegetables contain a sulfur-containing phytochemical called glucosinolate, which is responsible for the distinctive odor and bitter flavor.

Moving forward in history, scientists have discovered that the ability to taste PTC is genetic. They have even identified the gene called TAS2R38. Your love or hate of sprouts can be blamed on your family tree. Studies in the 1970s discovered about 30% of people cannot taste sprouts' bitter flavour.

Although a healthy vegetable, consuming too many Brussels sprouts can be unsuitable for people on anticoagulants since it contains vitamin K, which results in blood clotting. Another issue with consuming Brussels sprouts excessively is that it can lead to gas and bloating.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Another reason that Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation is that older cultivars used to taste bitter. In the 1990s, Dutch scientist Hans van Doorn isolated the compounds responsible for the bitter flavor. As a result, seed companies were able to breed and select cultivars that contained less of these compounds.

Eating a lot of Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies may help protect against cancers of the stomach, lungs, kidney, breast, bladder, and prostate. Crunchy veggies like Brussels sprouts may also help you stave off other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes.

Commercial production of Brussels sprouts in the United States is concentrated in California, with some East Coast production on Long Island, New York.

Which is healthier, cabbage or Brussels sprouts? ›

There are also nutritional differences - cabbage has fewer calories than Brussels sprouts, but also fewer nutrients, with sprouts containing higher concentrations of vitamins A and C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

Roasting Brussels sprouts caramelizes their natural sugar and mellows out bitter notes, providing rich flavor and a crispier texture. Brussels sprouts are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K, notes the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Brussels sprouts are a nutritious vegetable in the cruciferous family. While they're often enjoyed cooked using methods like roasting, steaming, or boiling, you can also enjoy Brussels sprouts raw. The most common side effect of eating raw Brussels sprouts is that they may cause gas in some people.

It is best to eat sprouts anytime from breakfast to noon because of how these complex foods can provide you with a ton of energy that can fuel you for an entire day. Meanwhile, when eaten at night, sprouts might end up making you restless because you'd still be digesting the sprouts as you sleep.

Due to the high number of outbreaks, sprouts have been labeled as a “high risk” food. This means that people with compromised immune systems, such as children, elderly, pregnant women and those who are sick or taking medications that impair the immune system, should avoid eating sprouts.

Cleanses the Body. Sprouts help in boosting the immune system and cleanses the body. The chlorophyll in sprouts is helpful in removing the toxins from the cells and lymphatic system. The enzymes in sprouts ease the digestion process that also helps to get rid of the toxins.

Although Brussel sprout allergy isn't common, hypersensitive people who ingest this vegetable may experience mild to moderate allergic symptoms.

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

“Sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene. Around 50 per cent of the world's population have a mutation on this gene.

“Like other cruciferous vegetables, raw Brussels sprouts contain indigestible fiber that could cause extra gas in some people who may not be used to eating it raw,” says p*rnsriniyom.