Eating habits are partly under genetic control, explaining why identical twins are more likely to have the same habits as fraternal twins.
- There is a genetic component to food consumption patterns.
- Food and nutrient intake, measured by nine dietary indices, is also partly under genetic control.
Our genetics partly determine our tastes and eating habits. Researchers from King’s College London published January 18 in the journal Twin Research and Human Genetics a study in which they reveal that, among identical twins, who share the same genetic code, and fraternal twins, who share around 50% of their genes, the former are more likely to have the same eating habits as the seconds.
A genetic component in food consumption
The researchers analyzed the responses to a food questionnaire from 2,590 twins, using nine commonly used indices. They studied the degree of similarity between identical twins, those who share 100% of their genes, compared to non-identical twins, who share 50% of their genes. They found that identical twin pairs are more likely to have similar scores on all nine dietary indices compared to non-identical twin pairs. Results that remain similar after taking into account other factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and exercise levels.
These findings indicate that there is a genetic component to food consumption patterns. “We know from previous twin studies that there is a strong genetic component for specific foods such as coffee and garlic, as well as general eating habits.details Olatz Mompeó-Masachs, first author of the article. Our latest study is the first to show that food and nutrient intake, measured by nine dietary indices, is also partly under genetic control..”
“Complex relationship between genetics and environment”
“Our study represents the first comprehensive investigation of the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to variation in eating behavior.concluded Dr. Massimo Mangino, lead author of the study. It highlights the complex relationship between genetics and environment and could have future implications for public health nutrition campaigns. This study used dietary data from twin girls only, with an average age of 58 years. Future research will need to look at dietary indices across a more diverse group of people to see if the same results hold..”
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