Humans get their primary source of energy through the foods they consume. With the help of the sense of taste, the human mind is able to distinguish different types of flavor, and classify foods according to how delectable or tasty they are. How else are you able to say that chocolate chip cookie is your favorite ice cream flavor? And how are most kids able to say "yuck" and "no" to spinach, cauliflower, and lima beans? The sense of taste is very sensitive, and can dictate what is to be consumed, whether they are healthy or not.

Because humans are very choosy about flavors, it is not surprising that a lot of them give in to the taste of the food instead of checking on the nutritional value. Along with this come poorer diet choices, more overweight or obese people, and generally a more unhealthy population. Here is a solution that will help you eat foods that are definitely healthier for you, without having to worry about the unfamiliar tastes that used to keep you away from them.

The miracle berry has its origins in Ghana, West Africa, and was first encountered by French explorer Chevalier de Marchais in the 1700's. This species of the Sapotaceae family is known under the name Synsepalum dulcificum, which translates to a beautiful flower with fused sepals. As the flowers mature, they bear red sweet berries that look like the cranberries that many in the West are familiar with. However, these miracle berries pack a punch that has never been discovered in any other fruit before.

Hundreds of years later, the miracle berry still created a buzz. Companies like Miraculin, also known as BioResources International, under the leadership of Robert Harvey tried to manufacture the miracle berry in tablet form, as a marketable substitute to the real fruit. The shelf life is longer by several months, and the cost of shipping is cheaper.

The question is, why isn't miracle berry marketed as widely as other dietary supplements or sweeteners like Equal or Splenda? This was because in 1974, the Food and Drug Administration urged Miraculin to stop manufacturing the tablets and other products containing extracts of the miracle fruit. The FDA was said to be a little cautious because not much research on its health effects were established. It was only around the 1980's when the proteins in the miracle berry were completely isolated, identified, and examined. Test on animals were also done to determine the viability of the miracle berry tablets and the protein miraculin as a possible substitute for sugar or as a sweetener for diabetics.

At the time when the miracle berry craze hit the masses, so many people tried it out and were amazed with the results. They were able to appreciate healthier foods like veggies and fruits more, so they ate more of the good stuff. There were even miracle berry parties that were held so people can sample as many new foods as they can, and enjoy the sweetness that the miracle fruit provides.

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