Although food variety is advantageous in that there are many different foods that could potentially provide nutrients, there is also a wide rage of toxic foods (Capiola & Raudenbush, 2012). As omnivores, humans are faced with the challenge of differentiating between good and bad foods, thus leading to exhibition of food neophobia. Demonstrating neophobic behavior means possibly missing out on a good source of nutrition; conversely, ingesting it could result in poisoning (Preedy, Watson, & Martin, 2011). From an evolutionary aspect, FN is considered advantageous in that it protects against ingesting unknown toxins or allergens; but in modern society most foods are safe, and exhibiting FN can have adverse effects on an individual’s diet (Preedy,
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Consuming a novel food runs the risk of detrimental effects to the consumer; thus, it is hypothesized that those individuals who show signs of neophilia (willingness to try novel food items) are signalling their immune competence, and thus conveying important genetic and immunological information to potential mates (Al-Shawaf, Lewis, Alley, & Buss, 2014). Since women are under more enforced pressures to protect themselves and their offspring, their FN behavior is more prudent and less risky than that of males, and they will typically value health and immunological competence in a mate. Considering this notion, men therefore are less likely to exhibit FN behavior, and more likely to accept consumption of novel foods, thus increasing their appeal to women (Al-Shawaf, Lewis, Alley, & Buss, 2014). To support this claim, Preedy, Watson, and Martin (2011) conducted surveys on adult men and women to assess their food variety and consumption. The results concluded that men tend to prefer spicy foods more than women; additionally, men reported consuming and enjoying unusual foods more often women. This supports the idea that men tend to be more willing to consume novel foods in order to display immunological competence as a mating
Consuming a novel food runs the risk of detrimental effects to the consumer; thus, it is hypothesized that those individuals who show signs of neophilia (willingness to try novel food items) are signalling their immune competence, and thus conveying important genetic and immunological information to potential mates (Al-Shawaf, Lewis, Alley, & Buss, 2014). Since women are under more enforced pressures to protect themselves and their offspring, their FN behavior is more prudent and less risky than that of males, and they will typically value health and immunological competence in a mate. Considering this notion, men therefore are less likely to exhibit FN behavior, and more likely to accept consumption of novel foods, thus increasing their appeal to women (Al-Shawaf, Lewis, Alley, & Buss, 2014). To support this claim, Preedy, Watson, and Martin (2011) conducted surveys on adult men and women to assess their food variety and consumption. The results concluded that men tend to prefer spicy foods more than women; additionally, men reported consuming and enjoying unusual foods more often women. This supports the idea that men tend to be more willing to consume novel foods in order to display immunological competence as a mating