Mechanisms of sweet and bitter taste perception This article will explain how these taste receptors sense sweet and bitter substances and discuss their emerging potential as therapeutic targets for disease treatment. The link between sweet and bitter taste receptors and the development of these diseases has become an area of growing scientific and medical interest over the last decade. For instance, in the United States, the increasing consumption of sweetened products, a growing concern for medical authorities, has been linked to the rising incidence of ailments such as obesity and type II diabetes. This newly discovered function has given rise to the notion that taste receptor dysfunction might contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. Furthermore, this improved understanding led to the discovery that taste receptors reside in parts of the body other than the oral cavity, revealing a new role for these proteins in nutrient sensing in the gut and in the regulation of metabolic processes. Knowledge of these receptor proteins allowed scientists to unmask key components involved in taste perception, providing a deeper understanding of this convoluted process. The discovery of taste receptor proteins, over a decade ago, represented a major milestone in taste research.
Perception of these qualities entails the interaction of a substance from our food, or tastant, with specific taste receptor proteins residing in the taste buds of the tongue. Flavor per se is the combined sensory impression of food, and it is determined by the five basic qualities of taste: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami (the “savory” taste associated with monosodium glutamate or MSG). It doesn't pose a threat to your health, cause long-term complications or increase your risk of major health problems.In Disney’s Pixar acclaimed success Ratatouille, Chef Gusteau states: “Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell, there is excellence all around you You only need be aware to stop and savour it!” Chef Gusteau’s extended metaphor clearly refers to the infinite combinations of flavors that delight our palate and make food intake a pleasurable experience. People with geographic tongue often have another disorder called fissured tongue, which has the appearance of deep grooves (fissures) on the surface of the tongue. Some people with geographic tongue have a family history of the disorder, so inherited genetic factors may increase risk. Factors that are likely associated with an increased risk include: Studies of factors that may be associated with an increased risk of geographic tongue have produced mixed results. But more research is needed to better understand possible connections. There may be a link between geographic tongue and psoriasis and between geographic tongue and lichen planus. The cause of geographic tongue is unknown, and there's no way to prevent the condition. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Causes