Why do children like sweet food, but not so much when they get older?

Question: Why do children like sweet food, but not so much when they get older?
- Keywords:
  children,
  sweet,
  taste
Asked by oliviabu007 to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
- Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:
  
  Hi @oliviabu007
  
  Great question! I used to think that it was just because people gave sweet things to children more, but I read the results of an experiment that suggests children are born with the preference for sweet things to increase the energy they have for growing. Sugar gives you lots more energy than other things. I’m not sure how this preference gets reduced as we get older.
  
  I wonder if anyone is doing research on this.
- Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:
  
  Hi @oliviabu007
  
  Oh, am I meant to stop liking sweet things? I think someone forgot to tell my brain! I still have quite a sweet tooth, that’s part of the reason I do so much running, so I can still eat chocolate 🙂

Question: Why do children like sweet food, but not so much when they get older?