Men and women experience food differently, reveals Madrid scientist

WE knew men were from Mars and women were from Venus, but who knew that sex affects our taste buds?

Women have an emotional reaction to food as soon as they lock eyes on it whereas men have to taste it in order to engage cerebrally, Madrid neuroscientist Miguel Valdeolmillos has discovered.

Men reacted most strongly to chocolate and steak tartar, ahead of tortilla or casserole, while women had the strongest response to traditional dishes such as jamon, followed by chocolate.

Images of chocolate stimulated the brain more than pictures relating to sex, travel or sport in 69% of men and 62% of women.