Why do some people love beer, while other people can't stand it? Or coffee, or apple juice? Well, there's no accounting for taste — but as it turns out, taste might not be the end of the story.
New research published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics on Thursday suggests that liking different beverages might depend less on what tastes you prefer and more on how certain drinks make you feel.
The rush of a sugary drink, the energy boost of caffeine, or the relaxing feeling of alcohol: All of these come down to the "genes that are involved with emotional responses," NBC News explained. So while your tastebuds might be enjoying that dose of coffee, something more is going on to make you reach for your mug every morning.
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Of course, this might not entirely be a surprise: After all, if your genetic predisposition to like certain flavors and dislike others was the only factor at play, there would be no such thing as an "acquired taste." And marketers of sugary sodas, fancy teas, and alcohol have certainly taken advantage of this fact.
That means that the findings of this study have "important nutritional and broader public health implications," said Marilyn Cornelis, co-author of the study and an assistant professor at Northwestern University. Understanding how mental and emotional factors affect our beverage preferences can help counter the sometimes harmful messaging of food companies.
Learn more at NBC News.
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