Nutrition: the taste of fat, a 6th flavor?
Fat could soon be a flavor in its own right in the same way as salty, sweet, sour, or bitterness and unami. A team of researchers points to this possible 6th flavor, trying to prove that the sensation of esterified fatty acids (NEFA) would be likely toproduce a unique sensation, independent of other tastes. The results of this study published in the journal Chemical Senses(1) also recall the risks and consequences of overconsumption of fats for health.
The taste of fat or “Oleogustus”
Named “Oléogustus”, precisely “oléo” referring to oil and “gustus” for taste, this new flavor is described by scientists as a fat sensation that would be different from acidity.
Concretely, the researchers explain that this new taste would have the particularity ofstimulating the appetitefor certain fatty and rich foods, giving a signal to the nervous system of reward, promoting a pleasant sensation. It is not a sensation of creaminess dependent on the tasting of triglycerides, but a flavor from the chewing of fatty acids composing triglycerides. This new taste would represent a unique sensation explain the authors of the study.
The scientists conducted this study on a panel of 102 participants and asked them to consume different mixtures composed of different flavors, namely, sweet, salty, bitter, sour, fat and unami. Then they classified them according to their taste qualities, their smell, their appearance, as well as their texture. The conclusions show that mixtures including “Oleogustus” are initially grouped with a bitter taste, however, after a second more restricted tasting, between Oleogustus, bitter and unami, the fatty acids are effectively classified and set apart in a very distinct way.
This study focuses on the overconsumption of fat, favored by this new taste “Oleogustus”. This new flavor could certainly be the new prevention campaigns in the future, concerning the consumption of rich and fatty foods in too large quantities.
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.