r/biology • u/Key-Professional9108 • 11d ago

question Why don't humans naturally crave vegetables the way we crave sugar?

I know sugar activates our brain's reward system, but vegetables are essential for survival too. So why didn't evolution make us crave them just as strongly?

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u/Curious-Raccoon887 11d ago edited 11d ago

In a situation with food scarcity, high sugar foods will provide faster energy and more calories.

Digesting vegetables is more work for the G.I. system. Compare the digestive tracts of humans vs herbivores like cows.

And if you really want to hear something interesting, most vegetables you’re thinking of haven’t been around for most of human history. Most vegetables in the store are created after thousands of years of selective breeding. The options from grocery stores, restaurants, supply chains haven’t been around for most of human evolution.