19 April 2023 , 11:55
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Researchers at Marmite are appealing to expectant mums to help find out if their little ones 'love or hate' the yeast spread BEFORE being born.
Research reveals that babies respond to different flavours while still in the womb, depending on what their mum is eating or drinking.
And, in a bid to find out if unborn tots can 'taste', boffins at Marmite are set to test whether the babes 'like' or 'hate' the popular spread by examining 4D ultrasound scans of the babies' faces after their mum eats Marmite.
A spokesman for Marmite said it was the 'ultimate' test to find out if we loved or hated the spread from birth - or in this case, before birth.
She said: "Marmite has long been fascinated with the reasons why people either love or hate its famous spread.
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"So much so, our newest study will explore our taste preference at the earliest possible moment...before we're even born."
Marmite chiefs have teamed up leading baby scan clinic Window to the Womb and are on the lookout for mums to take part in the project.
The spokesman added: "We are partnering with one of the UK's leading ultrasound clinics, Window to the Womb, to invite expectant parents nationwide for a free 4D scan that could reveal whether they are expecting a Marmite lover or hater.
"As part of this trial, participants will be asked to eat a small serving of Marmite, before receiving a 4D ultrasound scan to monitor the baby's reaction to the taste."
A spokesperson from Window to the Womb, said: "As experienced clinicians we've seen the recent science around babies reactions to experiencing different flavours in the womb.
"Over the years, we've also heard many first-hand stories from expectant parents who tell us their babies respond to what they have eaten.
"So, we're excited to partner with Marmite on this new trial and see how babies will respond."
Shannon Lennon-Smith, of Marmite, said: "We're obsessed with understanding the reasons why people love or hate our famous spread.
"While this study could reveal whether you're born a lover or a hater, other studies support that tastebuds change with age.
"So, while you might be born a hater, there's still hope you could become a lover when the appropriate time comes to taste Marmite!"
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A recent study showed that eating a spoonful of Marmite every day helped relieve stress.
The spread, made from yeast extract and invented in 1902, is packed with B vitamins, and was even given to British troops in World War One as part of their rations to help boost their vitamin intake.
B Vitamins, especially B6 - which is prevalent in Marmite - helps produce gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical which lowers anxiety.
A study by researchers at the University of York gave half of the participants a spoonful of Marmite to eat each morning, and the other half a spoonful of peanut butter.
It found that those who ate Marmite for one month had a 30% reduction in the amount of stress they experienced.
Author of the study, Anika Smith said the positive effects of eating Marmite every day took 'eight weeks to wear off', suggesting it had 'long-term effects on brain function', including reducing stress and anxiety.
To find out whether you're expecting a little Marmite lover or a hater, register your interest at Marmite's website Marmite.co.uk/babyscan before midnight on Thursday 20th April.
Applicants must be over 18, and have a single pregnancy of between 27-29 weeks and be available to attend a scan on April 21.