AOS 2 CHP 10 - Supertasters Flashcards
What is a supertaster?
individual with higher number of papillae than average, giving them heightened sensitivity to taste, especially bitter tastes.
What is a non-taster?
individual with lower number of papillae than average, giving them decreased sensitivity to taste.
What are papillae?
raised structures on tongue that contain taste buds.
Why do supertasters experience taste differently?
they have more fungiform papillae - more taste buds and receptors is associated with stronger taste perception.
can depend on genes - females and ppl from asia, africa, and south america more likely to be supertasters.
3 Differences in how supertasters taste things
extremely dislike bitter tasting foods
perceive sweets as much sweeter.
taste more ‘creaminess’ from fatty foods.
2 Benefits of being a supertaster?
dislike for fatty foods decreases risk of cardiovascular disease.
less likely to smoje (avoid bitter taste of nicotine)
One risk of being a supertaster?
higher risk for colon cancers - they avoid bitter veggies/fruits that protect against it.
What is miraculin?
protein found in the pulp of the miracle berry that makes sour tastes seem sweet.
How is judgement of flavours influenced by the fallibility of gustatory perception?
possible to influence how individual perceives taste stimulus by manipulating top down processing - produces ‘mistakes’ in perception.
