Everyone has that friend who hates Brussels sprouts more than anything. It’s a thing. But it’s really not their fault that they can’t stand the healthy veggie, even when you bake up an irresistible batch. It’s in their genes.
In a new study from the American Heart Association, researchers found there’s such a thing as “super-tasters,” and all those individuals have one thing in common: they’re really sensitive to bitterness. Because of that, it’s nearly impossible for them to enjoy veggies like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. They’re also 2.6 times more likely to eat less vegetables than non-“super-tasters.”
Luckily, there’s a fix for anyone who has the bitter gene: Simply sweeten up those intolerable veggies by adding a splash of maple syrup or agave before baking them. Once they come out of the oven, that bitterness will have completely disappeared.