Is it true that sour boys and spicy girls are the same? The gender of the child is determined at this time...

gossip

"Those who like to eat sour food during pregnancy will give birth to a boy, and those who like to eat spicy food will give birth to a girl."

There is a saying among the people that "sour food means boy, spicy food means girl". It is believed that if a pregnant woman likes to eat sour food during pregnancy, it implies that the fetus is a boy; if she likes to eat spicy food, it implies that the fetus is a girl.

Rumor Analysis

That is not the case.

This statement has no scientific basis. The baby's gender is determined by sex chromosomes, and the baby's gender cannot be judged based on the pregnant mother's dietary preference for sour or spicy food.

"Sour boy, spicy girl" is a widely circulated traditional saying among the people. It is believed that if a pregnant woman likes to eat sour food during pregnancy, she will give birth to a boy, and if she likes to eat spicy food, she will give birth to a girl. There are similar versions of this saying in many cultures, but from a scientific point of view, there is no conclusive evidence to support this saying.

What determines the sex of a fetus?

The mechanism of sex determination in humans is based primarily on a combination of X and Y chromosomes. Female eggs usually carry an X chromosome, while male sperm can carry either an X or a Y chromosome. The type of sperm (X or Y) determines the sex of the embryo. The sex of the child is determined at the moment of fertilization, depending on which type of sperm first reaches and successfully combines with the egg. This process has nothing to do with the pregnant woman's diet, lifestyle or other external factors.

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Although some studies have explored the correlation between maternal diet and child gender, the results of these studies are inconsistent and are often limited by factors such as sample size and research design. Currently, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the idea that "sour boys and spicy girls" are the norm. From a statistical point of view, the proportion of women in provinces in China that like spicy food, such as Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan, is not significantly higher than that in Shanxi or other provinces that like sour food.

These claims to determine the sex of the fetus are unreliable

Some people believe that the diet of pregnant women will affect the acid-base balance in the body, thereby determining the sex of the fetus. However, the acidity and alkalinity of food has almost no effect on the strong stomach acid of the human body, let alone the acid-base balance in the blood. The mother's healthy diet is certainly important for the overall health and development of the fetus, but it cannot determine the sex of the child. There are also some claims that the pH in the vagina can affect the survival time of sperm X and Y in the female body, thereby determining the sex of the fetus. These claims have no scientific basis. The abuse of some so-called vaginal pH-changing washes will lead to an imbalance of flora, causing vaginal inflammation, pelvic inflammation, and even infertility, which is not worth the loss. Some claims that the sex of the fetus can be changed by changing the pH of the human body are also untenable. If there is such a good way, why not use it directly on endangered species? For example, let pandas give birth to more female panda babies to increase the reproduction rate of offspring. But so far, scientists have not found any reliable way to implement this plan.

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When discussing the factors that determine the sex of a fetus, we should maintain a scientific attitude and avoid believing in unproven folk sayings. Sex determination is a complex biological process involving genes, cell biology and other aspects. Although diet and lifestyle are important for the health of pregnant women and fetuses, they cannot determine the sex of the fetus.

Why does taste change during pregnancy?

Changes in appetite and taste are common during pregnancy and are caused by several factors:

1. Changes in hormone levels

During pregnancy, the levels of hormones in women, especially estrogen and progesterone, change significantly, directly affecting the sense of smell and taste. The presence of estradiol-binding protein in the cytoplasm of olfactory epithelial cells suggests that estrogen affects the olfactory epithelium, so women's sense of smell is more sensitive than men. Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy may make the sense of smell more sensitive, leading to changes in the perception of the taste and smell of certain foods.

2. Gastrointestinal changes

As pregnancy progresses, the uterus continues to grow and progesterone increases, gastrointestinal motility will be affected, reducing the speed of food digestion and stomach comfort. These changes may also cause pregnant women to change their preference for certain foods.

3. Nutritional requirements

During pregnancy, the body's need for certain nutrients, such as calcium, iron, and vitamins, increases, and this change may unconsciously lead pregnant women to change their food choices to meet these increased nutritional needs.

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4. Psychological factors

Pregnancy is more prone to mood swings, and these psychological changes can also affect food choices and taste preferences.

5. Early pregnancy reaction

Many pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy, which may cause them to dislike certain foods with strong flavors. A healthy diet during pregnancy has an important impact on the development of the fetus and the health of the mother. A balanced diet can not only provide adequate nutrition, but also reduce and prevent complications during pregnancy and improve the quality of life of pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women should pay attention to dietary diversification and ensure adequate intake of key nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. Conclusion In general, "sour boys and spicy girls" is just a folk saying without scientific basis. The gender determination mechanism mainly depends on the combination of X and Y chromosomes, and this process is determined at the moment of fertilization. External factors such as the diet and lifestyle of pregnant women cannot change the sex of the fetus, and there is no relevant evidence-based medical evidence that the sex of the baby after pregnancy will affect the diet and lifestyle of pregnant women. We should look at fertility and gender issues with a scientific attitude, and at the same time pay attention to healthy diet during pregnancy to ensure the health of mothers and babies. When facing various folk sayings, scientific thinking and critical thinking skills are particularly important. Only in this way can we better understand the mystery of life, protect the health of pregnant women and fetuses, and avoid unnecessary troubles and risks caused by blindly believing in unscientific claims.

Looking in the mirror of rumors

Many rumors tend to use simple logic to explain complex physiological phenomena. For example, the "sour boy, spicy girl" rumor links food preferences during pregnancy with the sex of the fetus, attempting to predict the sex of the fetus through a single feature, whereas the actual sex of the fetus is determined by chromosomes and has nothing to do with diet.

Moreover, since these rumors are simple and direct and involve daily life, they can easily attract people's attention and spread widely in social circles. If you encounter such rumors, remember to be vigilant and do more research.

Author: Weng Ruopeng, attending physician, Zhejiang University Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital

Reviewer: Lan Yibing, deputy chief physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine