Articles tagged with Taste
Researchers found that genetic variations in two bitter taste receptor genes can explain differences in the perception of artificial sweeteners like Ace K. Additionally, studies on stevia extracts revealed that RebD is perceived as less bitter than RebA, suggesting potential opportunities for developing new sweeteners.
Researchers at Opertech Bio developed a proprietary apparatus, the Microtiter Operant Gustometer (MOG), to train rats as expert taste testers. This system measures both taste quality and palatability, allowing for high-throughput analysis of flavor ingredients.
Research found that aging elicits changes in taste preferences, with older animals preferring less sweet and umami tastes and more bitter tastes. Despite no differences in neural activity, these age-related changes were observed in behavioral studies.
A new review highlights recent advances in the scientific understanding of bitter taste to improve drug acceptance and compliance in pediatric populations. The paper focuses on applying this knowledge to formulate pediatric medications that are more palatable for children.
A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that rituals we perform before eating, even seemingly insignificant ones, can change our perception of food. The researchers found that short, fabricated rituals can produce real effects on the taste and enjoyment of food.
A new study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduces the intake of sweet-tasting solutions in rats. The research indicates that this procedure eliminates the difference in hedonic perception induced by sweet-tasting solutions compared to distilled water.
A study of 184 participants suggests that individuals with a higher level of sensation-seeking tend to prefer spicy foods. Those who score above the mean on the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking liked spicy meals consistently as the burn increased, while those below the mean rapidly disliked them.
Gluten-free products are now improved with better texture and appearance thanks to innovative manufacturing technologies. Alternative flours made from pulses such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas are also being used, offering high levels of protein and fiber.
A new study found that recent drinking is related to the orbitofrontal-region brain response to an intensely sweet stimulus, which may indicate risk for developing alcoholism. The research used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and recruited healthy volunteers to examine brain responses to sweet tastes and drinking patterns.
Researchers found that inactivating taste genes TAS1R3 and GNAT3 caused male sterility in mice, leading to malformed and fewer sperm. The study suggests that certain compounds, such as fibrates, could be negatively impacting human fertility.
Researchers found that cutlery can alter how we experience food, with weight and color affecting perceived density, saltiness, and sweetness. The study suggests that subtly changing eating implements and tableware can impact our enjoyment of food.
Researchers found competing input from two types of taste-sensing cells in fruit flies controls perception of salty foods. The study suggests a tug-of-war principle between attractive and repellant signals, with implications for human salt regulation and potentially leading to better salt substitutes.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that mildly depressed individuals' ability to distinguish between high-fat and low-fat foods is affected by their mood. After watching a sad movie clip, participants with mild depression were unable to tell the difference between the two types of foods.
Researchers at TUM discovered a new compound responsible for strawberry aroma, involving a previously unknown biocatalytic process. The study reveals the biochemical pathways that produce this flavor compound, which could lead to new applications in industrial biotechnology.
Researchers from the University of Illinois found that using common components can reduce product line cannibalization, allowing firms to redesign their product lines and improve profits. This challenges traditional marketing wisdom that differentiation is key.
A new study analyzing over 1,700 European children aged 6-9 years found that their taste preferences for fat, sugar, salt, and umami vary significantly across countries, despite previous assumptions. The research suggests that cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping these preferences, while age also influences them.
A recent study by Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab found that pre-sliced fruit in school cafeterias leads to increased fruit sales and consumption, particularly among younger students. The research showed a significant increase of 73% in students who ate more than half of their apple after the introduction of fruit slicers.
Peihua Jiang, a molecular neurobiologist at Monell Chemical Senses Center, has been awarded the Ajinomoto Award for his groundbreaking work on taste stem cells. His research has identified previously elusive adult taste stem cells and implications for patients with loss of taste function.
Researchers have found that people can perceive flavors in foods before tasting them, and the eyes play a crucial role in this process. Studies have shown that smells can even override taste buds, making certain flavors undetectable.
The 'Chemistry of the Bar' symposium delves into the scientific secrets of popular cocktails, including the Hurricane's key ingredients, their chemical compositions and sensory evaluations. The study highlights the importance of ingredient freshness and notes that using premium rum may not improve the taste.
A study by Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab found that organic labels significantly alter consumers' perceptions of taste, calories, and value. Participants who regularly read nutrition labels, buy organic food, or exhibit pro-environmental behaviors were less susceptible to the health halo effect.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an improved purification method for oysters that effectively removes Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria, reducing the risk of gastroenteritis. The new process uses temperature-controlled depuration with ultraviolet light, eliminating 99.9% of bacteria after four to five days.
A team of researchers discovered that ATP release is key to transmitting sweet, bitter, and umami taste information to the brain. The CALHM1 channel protein plays a crucial role in releasing ATP, allowing taste buds to send signals to the brain for these three primary taste types.
A new protein, CALHM1, has been identified as a key regulator of the sense of taste. The discovery, made by Philippe Marambaud at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, sheds light on the mechanisms of communication between the brain and the senses.
Researchers discovered that CALHM1 channel plays a key role in transmitting signals from Type II taste cells to the brain. Mice lacking this gene have difficulty detecting sweet and bitter tastes, highlighting its importance for our sense of taste.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified two opposing behaviors triggered by salt concentrations in mammals, allowing them to avoid high-salt diets. The discovery may lead to the development of taste modulators to control appetite and reduce the effects of excessive sodium intake.
A University of Miami study reveals that people tend to seek higher-calorie foods when they perceive tough times, consuming nearly 40% more than neutral messages. In contrast, low-calorie food prompts a 25% reduction in consumption.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified progenitor cells in taste tissue that can differentiate into functional taste cells, potentially helping treat clinical taste dysfunction. The discovery opens up new areas for studying taste cell renewal and contributes to stem cell biology.
Researchers found that eating smaller portions of snack foods can provide similar feelings of satisfaction as larger ones. The study showed that those who consumed smaller portions consumed 77% more food but did not feel any appetite-enhancing effects.
Researchers investigated the effects of Huanglongbing (HLB) on orange juice produced from diseased trees, finding that HLB symptoms can affect juice quality but not necessarily cause a bitter taste. The study suggests that mixing fruit with and without HLB symptoms could help address commercial operations' problems.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people tend to consume nearly 40% more food when primed with messages about tough times. When told the food was low-calorie, they consumed 25% less, highlighting a survival instinct for high-calorie foods.
Fashion bloggers succeed by providing taste leadership, attracting a mass audience and gaining social and economic resources. This study marks a shift in understanding consumer behavior online, highlighting the horizontal operation of taste and the accumulation of cultural capital.
Researchers found that adding ferulic acid to white flour dough can transform its taste and smell into a more appetizing version, similar to whole wheat bread. This discovery could help bakers create healthier, more palatable options for consumers.
Researchers from Polytechnic University of Valencia and University of Oxford found that hot chocolate tastes better in orange or cream coloured cups. The study suggests that the colour of the container can influence consumers' perception of taste and aroma.
A Cochrane systematic review found that giving babies a few drops of sugary solution before injections can reduce crying time. Researchers reviewed data from 14 studies involving over 1,500 infants, with results showing a shorter crying time for those given the sugar solution.
A new study found that adding vegetables to dinner can increase positive evaluations of the main course and the cook. The study suggests that thinking about vegetables as an enhancement of the meal may be a more effective strategy for increasing vegetable consumption.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers enjoy Tostitos salsa with Tostitos tortilla chips more when told they come from the same brand. The authors conclude that matching brands can enhance joint consumption experiences and provide an advantage for companies offering complementary products.
Scientists at Caltech identified competing brain systems that guide decisions on healthy options. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex play different roles in self-regulation, with the former taking control when trying to suppress cravings and the latter taking over when encouraging desires.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that obese children have blunted ability to identify all five tastes. This may lead them to eat larger quantities of food to register same taste sensation.
Researchers found that dark chocolate fans have a higher tolerance to bitter tastes than milk chocolate fans. The study used rejection thresholds to test food acceptability and could lead to cost-savings for the industry by identifying product rejection levels.
Design blogs like Apartment Therapy help consumers exercise taste by creating routines that maintain physical order and associated meanings. Consumers learn what constitutes 'good taste' through engagement with brands and media, transforming their consciousness and guiding effortless action.
Researchers studied Apartment Therapy website for insights into consumer behavior, finding that reading and imitating decor can shape personal style and boundaries. Through a tripartite process of problematization, instrumentalization, and ritualization, consumers develop standards for cool design choices.
The 'Control-Alt-Hack' game allows teenage and young-adult players to defend against digital threats in a social and entertaining way. The game incorporates real-world scenarios and skills, dispelling stereotypes about computer science professionals.
A joint study by University of Nottingham and Unilever found that fat in food reduces brain activity responsible for processing taste, aroma, and reward. The research provides insights into making healthier, less fatty food products with better taste and enjoyment.
A study by Arizona State University researchers identified a possible molecular link between sweet taste perception and the state of internal energy in honey bees. By suppressing two genes, they discovered that bees can become more sensitive to sweet taste, similar to people with Type 1 diabetes.
A new mouse model has been developed to study supertasting, a condition where people strongly detect food flavors like bitter and sweet. The model, which overexpresses brain-derived neurotrophic factor, may provide insights into the protective cardiovascular effects of avoiding sweet and fatty foods.
Researchers develop algorithms to identify flavor matches, leading to new dishes like almond sponge cake with poached banana and chocolate-ketchup ice cream. Skepticism surrounds the validity of flavor pairing as a scientifically grounded concept.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center discover that adding sweetness to a solution can suppress coughing, while menthol reduces the cough reflex by numbing sensory nerves. These findings have implications for understanding how popular remedies work and may inform strategies for managing cough symptoms.
Researchers decode Dekkera bruxellensis genome, gaining insights into its impact on wine taste. The study enables wine producers to control flavor development, leading to potential cost savings and new wine tastes.
Researchers at TUM and DIfE discovered the hTAS2R4 and hTAS2R14 receptors responsible for Stevia's bitter taste. The study found that the structure of glycoside molecules plays a key role in determining sweetness or bitterness in Stevia.
The tomato genome sequence provides detailed information about its genes and chromosomes, enabling researchers to improve crop yields and quality. The full genome sequence allows for faster and less expensive sequencing of other varieties, with potential applications in improving taste, nutritional content and disease resistance.
Scientists outline how humans use nose and tongue to recognize food flavors, suggesting a way to teach people to like vegetables. The study reveals the brain integrates taste and smell sensations into a single flavor perception, potentially leading to improved diets.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that humans can identify age based on differences in body odor, with elderly individuals' odors being recognized across cultures. Evaluators rated body odors from the old-age group as less intense and less unpleasant than those from middle-aged and young individuals.
A team of researchers has identified 24 compounds as responsible for the distinct flavors and aromas of heirloom tomatoes. These findings hold promise for improving the flavor of commercially grown tomatoes.
A new study by Dr. Gary Pickering and colleagues from Brock University found that changes in food temperature alter the intensity of sour, bitter, and astringent tastes but not sweetness. The research involved 74 participants who tasted sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent solutions at varying temperatures.
A new study reveals that black pepper's piperine interferes with genes controlling fat cell formation, potentially leading to a metabolic chain reaction. This finding may lead to wider use of piperine or black-pepper extracts in fighting obesity and related diseases.
Research published in BioMed Central's Flavour journal found that strong smells associated with food lead to smaller bites, suggesting aroma could regulate portion size. The study suggests a possible link between bite size and flavor sensation, potentially aiding weight loss by reducing intake per bite.
Researchers identified brain mechanisms linking visual appeal of food to nutritional reward. Participants rated tastes as more pleasant when preceded by images of high-calorie foods like pizza or pastry.
Seven mammalian species have lost the sense of sweet taste, including strict carnivores like cats and sea lions, due to defects in their sweet taste receptors. This finding suggests that dietary specialization can lead to evolutionary trade-offs in sensory perception.
A recent study published in Obesity by Rutgers University researchers found a link between genetic variation in CD36 and the ability to perceive fatty acids. Those with this variation were more sensitive to fat texture but preferred high-fat foods, highlighting a potential genetic basis for obesity development.