What do we like about eating? Why do we drool or salivate when we see or even think of our favourite food? I am sure it is not the thought of it bringing energy to your body that makes one salivate..Then what is it? TASTE…Yes! The taste of food both what you like and that what you dislike is the primary reason that many of us love food.
The aroma of pizza wafting from the oven evokes a distinct feeling in your brain of the cheesy slice being prised apart and along with the toppings sent into your mouth. Drooling right? Ever wondered how is it that we are able to perceive so many different types of taste and even comment upon the food classifying it as too sour, too salty, less salty, spicy, bland, sweet etc?
The answer lies in the presence of tiny bumpy structures called taste buds on the surface of the tongue. These are composed of specialised type of cells with sensory structures called microvilli which peep out to the surface of the tongue through a small pore called the taste pore. The food as you chew them, is mixed with saliva and gets in touch with these structures. The next you know, the chemicals that give the food its specific taste stimulates proteins called ion channels on the cell membrane of these cells. This results in the generation of an electric signal. This tiny bioelectric signal is then transmitted out through the nerves and passed on to
the brain which decodes the type of taste.
There are specific types of such receptors for sensing sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Surprisingly enough volatile substances in the food also get in touch with nerve endings inside the nasal cavity thereby enabling a more thorough enjoyment of the flavour of the food. This is the story of the sensation of taste. It is important since it stimulates the salivary glands to secrete saliva to aid in digestion.
The human tongue has around 3000 to 8000 taste buds with a lifespan of around 10 days. This means that these taste buds are constantly renewed and replenished on the surface of the tongue. As one grows older, however, the number of taste buds decline thereby explaining the heightened taste senses in the young as compared to the elderly.
Tasting food no longer is something one does on a personal basis when eating but has now emerged into a career with a nice big paycheck for those with the right sense of taste to detect the subtle flavors. Now you know why you drool even at the sight of your favourite food? Enjoy these thoughts as you relish your meal today.
To read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539696/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279408/
