INSERM study: obesity would modify taste perceptions
According to a recent INSERM study (see source, bottom of article), it appears that obesity can modify taste perceptions . It is for this reason that, perhaps , some people need to consume more excessively to better appreciate the “taste” of food . INSERM researchers are looking into this troubling problem in order to find a new parameter in the explanation of the growth of obesity.
Dysregulation of gustatory pleasures in obese people
Humans have a taste detection system for food.
This detection system is an important parameter in the regulation of cravings and therefore in the regulation of the consumption of certain foods: when an individual eats, if the taste of the food does not fulfill its function in terms of “taste”, then the individual is more inclined to over-consume this food, until he completely feels the “taste”.
The INSERM study reveals that in obese people, this “taste detection” system would be out of order: after an experiment on mice, which have a biological system similar to ours (in terms of “taste detection”), it turned out that the obese mice had difficulty detecting lipids in the diet. Because the detection threshold of these lipids is higher, the taste sensation is disturbed . Clearly, and with a parallel made for humans, obese people would have more difficulty in appreciating the taste of food . Fatty foods would have less taste in these individuals.
D36 protein dysfunction
This problem related to lipids in obese people has just been linked to a dysfunction of the protein called D36. Indeed, this protein is closely linked to lipids and in particular to fatty acids. If it works badly, it also disturbs the taste buds which automatically lower the sensitivity to these tastes.
Obesity can therefore modify taste perceptions. However, this hypothesis must be taken conditionally: this issue is still under study. Researchers continue their analyzes every day to prove that the dysfunction of the taste buds and the dysregulation of the D36 protein can be a cause of obesity. A case to follow, and not the least interesting…
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.