Scientists uncover new taste that can possibly help treat obesity

A new study conducted by researchers from US revealed a new primary taste: fat.

Currently, there are five main tastes recognised which include sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami (savoury).

With the discovery of the new taste, scientists are hoping to determine the underlying causes as to why some people tend to overeat.

Speaking to The Independent, Richard Mattes, director of Ingestive Behaviour Research Centre at Purdue University, explained,  “Our experiments provide a missing element in the evidence that fat has a taste sensation, and that it is different from other tastes.”

“Identifying the taste of fat has a range of important health implications,” he added.

In the study, participants wearing nose clips were asked to taste a variety of food grade substances including glucose, caffeine, and linoleic acid, which only differ in taste. The participants consistently identify fat as having a distinctive taste to the other samples on offer.

Many of the participants described the taste of fat “as bitter or irritating and consistently unpalatable,” according to Mattes.

Although the process of having a new taste recognized may take a long time, the research team is confident that their findings are sensible.

Moreover, the researchers are looking into the possibility of creating a healthier fat alternative by exploring the results of their study.

Earlier this year, a report published in the journal Flavor showed that “a growing body of evidence from humans and other animal species” indicate that fat should be recognized as the sixth taste.

Featured image credits to NPR.