Gaining body fat can alter one’s taste perceptions, leading to unfavorable effects on one’s dietary habits.
According to a new study, obese subjects have less taste cells that respond to sweet stimuli, and the cells that they do have do not respond as strongly. This structural difference leads to an impaired ability to detect sweet sensations.
As a result, obese individuals may need to consume more calories of a food in order to receive the same sensations that their leaner counterparts. Over time, this can lead to dramatic increases in caloric intake and eventually will cause weight gain.
Conclusion
The ability to perceive sweet sensations is another one of the innumerable factors that can affect body weight. More research needs to be conducted to determine if losing weight can improve perception of sweet sensations.
References
1 Maliphol AB, Garth DJ, Medler KF. Diet-induced obesity reduces the responsiveness of the peripheral taste receptor cells. PLos ONE. 2013; 8(11): e79403.