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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 10/10/2012 19:30:02

Title: Does taste sensation alter as we age?
Post by: thedoc on 10/10/2012 19:30:02

Is it true that our taste buds change as we age because some people like things more when they're older than when they were younger?
Asked by Heather Andrews

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Title: Re: Does taste sensation alter as we age?
Post by: cheryl j on 13/10/2012 04:54:10

Children are supposedly more sensitive to bitter alkaloids, maybe because a lot of poisoness stuff is bitter tasting,and it's nature's way of protecting them,  but it also makes them typically dislike green vegetables like broccoli. I find that sweet things I liked as a kid, say, a bowl of Captain Crunch, is way too sweet now. And I have heard that elderly people have decreased sense of taste which and may even become malnourished because food just doesnt taste as good as it once did.

Title: Re: Does taste sensation alter as we age?
Post by: neilep on 13/10/2012 05:48:20

As a firm believer in empirical study I will taste some food now *toast with Marmite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmite)*....hmmm !!!! tres delish !!...yummy !!!....and will do so again at 5 yearly intervals...please make calendar entries and watch this space..ta !



Glad I could help.

Title: Re: Does taste sensation alter as we age?
Post by: RD on 13/10/2012 12:37:51

Quote from: cheryl j on 13/10/2012 04:54:10

... I find that sweet things I liked as a kid, say, a bowl of Captain Crunch, is way too sweet now.

I think the sugar content of children's cereals has changed over time, (even the same brand), some are 50% sugar !

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20081001/kids-cereals-some-are-50-percent-sugar

Title: Re: Does taste sensation alter as we age?
Post by: grizelda on 13/10/2012 21:02:04

My main issue is that I can't taste salt when I put it on my steamed cauliflower. I can put on so much salt that I feel it crunching between my teeth, but still no salty taste.