A recent study done in the University of Buffalo has shown something surprising about the taste buds of obese mice. According to the researchers, obese mice in this study had “fewer taste cells that responded to sweet stimuli”. In addition, the taste buds that did respond to weakness did so very weakly when compared to those of normal mice. I thought this was interesting because it seems sort of ironic since you would think that they would have an over-sensing of sweetness if it is a major component of their diet.
Another interesting thing that came out of this study was that the obese mice also had less of a reaction to bitterness as well. However, cell’s reactions to taste were the same for umami, which is associated with savory and meaty foods.
The researchers are still unsure why this is true. This is a really important find in the study of appetite and how much we consume when we eat. Hopefully researchers in the future are able to take this information and use it to further understand obesity and the epidemic in America.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131121154944.htm