A multi-institutional study indicates that maternal consumption of specific vegetable powders during late pregnancy influences the olfactory responses of children up to three years of age.

一項多機構研究指出，孕婦在妊娠後期食用特定的蔬菜粉，會影響兒童至三歲為止的嗅覺反應。

The research, led by Durham University and published in Developmental Psychobiology, utilized a longitudinal methodology to assess chemosensory memory. Pregnant participants were administered either carrot or kale powder capsules. The researchers employed ultrasound imaging to monitor fetal facial expressions at 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, followed by observations at three weeks postnatal and again at age three. The latter phase involved the analysis of facial reactions in twelve children exposed to cotton swabs infused with the respective vegetable powders.

這項由杜林大學領導並發表於《發展心理生物學》的研究，採用縱向研究法來評估化學感官記憶。孕產參與者被要求服用胡蘿蔔或羽衣甘藍粉膠囊。研究人員利用超音波影像監測胎兒在妊娠 32 週和 36 週時的面部表情，隨後在出生三週及三歲時再次觀察。後者階段涉及分析 12 名兒童在接觸浸有相應蔬菜粉的棉棒時的面部反應。

Data analysis revealed a consistent correlation between prenatal exposure and positive olfactory responses. Children whose mothers consumed carrot powder exhibited diminished negative reactions to the scent of carrots, while those exposed to kale demonstrated a corresponding preference for that vegetable. This suggests that the fetal environment allows for the acquisition of long-lasting flavor and odor memories, which may subsequently modulate dietary preferences in early childhood.

數據分析顯示，產前接觸與正向嗅覺反應之間存在一致的相關性。母親食用胡蘿蔔粉的兒童對胡蘿蔔氣味的負面反應較低，而接觸羽衣甘藍的兒童則對該蔬菜表現出相應的偏好。這表明胎兒環境允許獲取持久的風味與氣味記憶，進而可能調節幼年時期的飲食偏好。

Despite the identified patterns, the investigators noted that the sample size was limited. Consequently, the researchers emphasized the necessity for expanded studies to validate these findings. Furthermore, the study's implications extend to diverse cultural dietary contexts and highlight the potential for early dietary interventions to improve public health outcomes. The research was supported by a grant from Aston University and involved collaborations with institutions in France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

儘管發現了這些模式，研究人員指出樣本數有限。因此，研究人員強調有必要擴大研究以驗證這些發現。此外，該研究的影響延伸至多元文化飲食背景，並突顯了早期飲食干預在改善公共衛生結果方面的潛力。此研究由亞斯頓大學資助，並與法國、荷蘭及英國的機構合作。

The study concludes that prenatal dietary exposure may shape a child's future food preferences, suggesting that a varied maternal diet could promote healthier eating habits in offspring.

研究結論指出，產前飲食接觸可能會塑造兒童未來的食物偏好，顯示多元的孕期飲食可促進後代養成更健康的飲食習慣。