Why This Taste Map Is Wrong | WIRED

Summary

The video debunks the long-standing 'tongue map' theory, revealing that our taste buds are not divided by distinct regions for sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Dr. Robert Margolskee explains how taste receptors are scattered throughout the tongue, detecting a range of tastes, including umami. The video explores how taste serves evolutionary functions, helping us determine whether foods are safe or toxic, and why some people have heightened sensitivity to certain tastes like bitterness. Additionally, it delves into how humans might adapt to tastes over time and the potential for taste manipulation to improve health, especially in reducing sugar intake and combating obesity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The traditional 'taste map' of the tongue, which divides it into zones for sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes, is incorrect.
• 😀 The original taste map was based on early psychological studies, but it was misinterpreted and exaggerated over time.
• 😀 Taste buds are distributed across the entire tongue and are responsible for all types of tastes, not specific areas.
• 😀 Each taste bud contains 50-100 receptor cells that can detect various taste qualities, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
• 😀 The taste system plays a crucial role in helping us decide whether a food is safe or harmful, signaling if it's nutritious or potentially toxic.
• 😀 Taste buds regenerate every 1-3 weeks, but nerve damage can impair taste function in rare cases.
• 😀 Supertasters are individuals who are more sensitive to all taste qualities, particularly bitterness, influencing their food preferences.
• 😀 Bitter taste sensitivity is higher in younger children, but adults can adapt to bitter tastes over time through positive associations.
• 😀 Genetic factors determine how we perceive certain tastes, such as the divisive herb cilantro, which some find soapy due to genetic differences in taste receptors.
• 😀 Evolutionary biology explains that some animals, like cats, don't have receptors for sweetness because their diet is primarily protein-based and they don't need to detect sweet flavors.
• 😀 Understanding taste better could potentially help reduce the consumption of high-calorie, sugary foods, leading to healthier eating habits and preventing obesity and diabetes.

Q & A

What is the 'tongue map' and why is it incorrect?

The 'tongue map' is an outdated concept that divides the tongue into distinct sections responsible for sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes. It is incorrect because taste receptors are not limited to specific areas of the tongue but are spread throughout, and each receptor can respond to multiple types of tastes.

How did the 'tongue map' come to be, and what were its flaws?

The 'tongue map' originated from a German researcher who conducted psychological studies on human subjects and found that different areas of the tongue had varying sensitivities to tastes. However, the map oversimplified this by suggesting that sweet, bitter, salty, and sour tastes were strictly confined to separate regions of the tongue, which is inaccurate.

How do taste buds work, and what types of taste do they respond to?

Taste buds, located on the tongue, contain specialized receptor cells that respond to different taste qualities such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Some taste buds are highly specific, while others may respond to a combination of taste qualities.

What role do taste buds play in the decision to consume food?

Taste buds help the body assess whether food is nutritious or potentially harmful. They play a critical role in signaling whether food is safe to ingest and whether it will provide nourishment or could be toxic.

What happens when taste buds get injured? Can they regenerate?

Taste buds generally have a lifespan of one to three weeks, after which they regenerate. However, if the nerve branch connected to a taste bud is damaged, taste function can be lost, although the taste system is otherwise quite robust.

What are supertasters, and how do they differ from others in terms of taste perception?

Supertasters are individuals who are extremely sensitive to all types of tastes, especially bitter compounds. They may find bitter foods like broccoli or Brussels sprouts unpleasant, while others may not be as sensitive to those same compounds.

Can people adapt to bitter tastes over time?

Yes, people can adapt to bitter tastes as they age. Young children tend to be more sensitive to bitter flavors, but over time, with exposure and positive associations (such as with alcohol or caffeine), individuals may come to enjoy bitter foods.

What is the connection between genetics and taste, particularly in the case of cilantro?

Genetics plays a key role in how individuals perceive the taste of cilantro. Some people find it flavorful, while others detect a soapy taste. This difference is due to variations in receptors that respond to specific chemical compounds found in cilantro.

How does evolution shape taste perception in different species, such as cats?

Evolution influences taste perception based on dietary needs. For example, cats are obligate carnivores and lack the ability to taste sweetness, as they do not require the ability to detect sweet fruits or plants. Instead, they focus on detecting proteins and amino acids in their food.

Can understanding taste science help improve human health and nutrition?

Yes, understanding taste science can help address modern health issues, particularly overconsumption of high-calorie, sweet foods. Researchers are exploring ways to adjust taste preferences to reduce sugar cravings and promote healthier eating habits, which could help combat obesity and diabetes.