No, infants younger than about 3 months old most likely cannot detect salt taste. This ability develops postnatally. Once infants can detect salt, they show a preference for it in water.
Development of Salt Taste in Children
- Infancy (0-3 months): Limited or no salt taste detection. Research indicates that newborns don't react to salt like they do to sweet or bitter tastes. [Source: CNN article on salt preferences determined early]
- Infancy (3+ months): The ability to taste salt develops, leading to a preference for salty water. [Source: Research article on Infants' and Children's Salt Taste Perception and Liking]
- Childhood: While children can taste salt, their liking for it doesn't necessarily correlate with their consumption of salty foods. [Source: Research article on Infants' and Children's Salt Taste Perception and Liking]
Taste Buds and Salt Detection
Taste buds, located on the tongue, detect various tastes, including salty. While babies are born with taste buds, their sensitivity to salt develops over time. [Source: Cleveland Clinic article on Taste Buds; Nemours KidsHealth article on Taste Buds for kids]
Implications for Diet and Health
Early exposure to salt can influence a child's later salt preferences and consumption habits. A low-salt diet during childhood can help prevent the development of a strong liking for salty foods and reduce the likelihood of high-salt diets later in life. [Source: Action on Salt article on salt and children]
Early introduction to a variety of flavors is important for developing healthy eating habits. Parents can shape their children's taste preferences from infancy. [Source: NPR article on shaping a child's taste].
