The study found that Asian leaf monkeys are "unknowingly" sweet

Japanese researchers have found that Asian leaf monkeys, which like to eat plant leaves, are very slow to feel the sweetness of natural sugars. The researchers speculate that this may be the primate's unique survival strategy.
for many primates, sweetness is a very delicious taste, and it can also indicate that the food contains carbohydrates such as sugar and starch, which can be used as a source of energy.
researchers at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute found that sweet-smelling subjects in the mouths of Asian leaf monkeys do not respond to natural sugars such as sucrose and maltose. Asian leaf monkeys therefore prefer plant leaves or immature fruits to ripe fruit because they feel very dull about sweetness.
, Japanese macaques' taste experience reacts to sugar. When it's sweet, Japanese macaques prefer sweets, while Asian leaf monkeys don't. Previous studies have found that Asian leaf monkeys also feel sluggish about bitter taste.
team believes primates that don't like sweet fruit are rare. Asian leaf monkeys live mainly in trees and may have evolved to avoid competing with other primates that like sweet fruit. Researchers say the study of the taste of primates could help to understand the evolution of human taste.
results were published online in the online edition of springer-
publishing group. (Source: Xinhua News Agency, Huayi)