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1.
Macronutrient Sensing in the Oral Cavity and Gastrointestinal Tract: Alimentary Tastes.
Keast, R, Costanzo, A, Hartley, I
Nutrients. 2021;(2)
Abstract
There are numerous and diverse factors enabling the overconsumption of foods, with the sense of taste being one of these factors. There are four well established basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter; all with perceptual independence, salience, and hedonic responses to encourage or discourage consumption. More recently, additional tastes have been added to the basic taste list including umami and fat, but they lack the perceptual independence and salience of the basics. There is also emerging evidence of taste responses to kokumi and carbohydrate. One interesting aspect is the link with the new and emerging tastes to macronutrients, with each macronutrient having two distinct perceptual qualities that, perhaps in combination, provide a holistic perception for each macronutrient: fat has fat taste and mouthfeel; protein has umami and kokumi; carbohydrate has sweet and carbohydrate tastes. These new tastes can be sensed in the oral cavity, but they have more influence post- than pre-ingestion. Umami, fat, kokumi, and carbohydrate tastes have been suggested as an independent category named alimentary. This narrative review will present and discuss evidence for macronutrient sensing throughout the alimentary canal and evidence of how each of the alimentary tastes may influence the consumption of foods.
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2.
Taste and smell disturbances in cancer patients: a scoping review of available treatments.
Sevryugin, O, Kasvis, P, Vigano, M, Vigano, A
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2021;(1):49-66
Abstract
PURPOSE Taste and smell disturbances in patients affected by cancer are very common, but often under-recognized symptoms. If not addressed properly, they may impact nutritional status, food enjoyment, and quality of life. Treatment tools available for clinicians to manage chemosensory alterations are limited and are often based on personal clinical experiences. The aim of this study was to assess current oncological and palliative care literature through a scoping review, in order to identify available treatments for taste and smell alterations in cancer patients. METHODS Medline, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until January 2020, with subject headings relevant to the domains of chemosensory alterations, palliative, and cancer care. A total of 10,718 English and French language publications were reviewed, yielding 43 articles on the researched topic. RESULTS The heterogeneity of selected articles led to difficulties in interpretation and analysis of the available evidence. Included publications differed in study design, population sample, anticancer treatments, and measures of assessment for taste and smell disturbances. A broad variety of treatment options were described including zinc and polaprezinc, radio-protectors, vitamins and supplements, anti-xerostomia agents, active swallowing exercises, nutritional interventions, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and photobiomodulation. CONCLUSION This scoping review identifies the current state of knowledge regarding chemosensory alterations within supportive cancer care. Despite not reaching firm conclusions, this article offers therapeutic venues to further explore in larger and more methodologically sound studies.
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3.
Epigenetics and Modulations of Early Flavor Experiences: Can Metabolomics Contribute to Prevention during Weaning?
Dessì, A, Bosco, A, Pintus, R, Picari, G, Mazza, S, Fanos, V
Nutrients. 2021;(10)
Abstract
The significant increase in chronic non-communicable diseases has changed the global epidemiological landscape. Among these, obesity is the most relevant in the pediatric field. This has pushed the world of research towards a new paradigm: preventive and predictive medicine. Therefore, the window of extreme plasticity that characterizes the first stage of development cannot be underestimated. In this context, nutrition certainly plays a primary role, being one of the most important epigenetic modulators known to date. Weaning, therefore, has a crucial role that must be analyzed far beyond the simple achievement of nutritional needs. Furthermore, the taste experience and the family context are fundamental for future food choices and can no longer be underestimated. The use of metabolomics allows, through the recognition of early disease markers and food-specific metabolites, the planning of an individualized and precise diet. In addition, the possibility of identifying particular groups of subjects at risk and the careful monitoring of adherence to dietary therapy may represent the basis for this change.
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4.
The texture and taste of food in the brain.
Rolls, ET
Journal of texture studies. 2020;(1):23-44
Abstract
Oral texture is represented in the brain areas that represent taste, including the primary taste cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the amygdala. Some neurons represent viscosity, and their responses correlate with the subjective thickness of a food. Other neurons represent fat in the mouth, and represent it by its texture not by its chemical composition, in that they also respond to paraffin oil and silicone in the mouth. The discovery has been made that these fat-responsive neurons encode the coefficient of sliding friction and not viscosity, and this opens the way for the development of new foods with the pleasant mouth feel of fat and with health-promoting designed nutritional properties. A few other neurons respond to free fatty acids (such as linoleic acid), do not respond to fat in the mouth, and may contribute to some "off" tastes in the mouth. Some other neurons code for astringency. Others neurons respond to other aspects of texture such as the crisp fresh texture of a slice of apple versus the same apple after blending. Different neurons respond to different combinations of these texture properties, oral temperature, taste, and in the orbitofrontal cortex to olfactory and visual properties of food. In the orbitofrontal cortex, the pleasantness and reward value of the food is represented, but the primary taste cortex represents taste and texture independently of value. These discoveries were made in macaques that have similar cortical brain areas for taste and texture processing as humans, and complementary human functional neuroimaging studies are described.
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5.
Neuroimaging of smell and taste.
Olofsson, JK, Freiherr, J
Handbook of clinical neurology. 2019;:263-282
Abstract
The senses of taste and smell developed early in evolution and are of high ecological and clinical relevance in humans. Chemosensory systems function, in large part, as hazard avoidance systems, thereby ensuring survival. Moreover, they play a critical role in nutrition and in determining the flavor of foods and beverages. Their dysfunction has been shown to be a key element of early stages of a number of diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Advanced neuroimaging methods provide a unique means for understanding, in vivo, neural and psychological processing of smell, taste, and flavor, and how diseases can impact such processing. This chapter provides, from a neuroimaging perspective, a comprehensive overview of the anatomy and physiology involved in the odor and taste processing in the central nervous system. Some methodological challenges associated with chemosensory neuroimaging research are discussed. Multisensory integration, the mechanisms that enable holistic sensory experiences, is emphasized.
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6.
Toxic exposures and the senses of taste and smell.
Genter, MB, Doty, RL
Handbook of clinical neurology. 2019;:389-408
Abstract
This review addresses the adverse influences of neurotoxic exposures on the ability to smell and taste. These chemical senses largely determine the flavor of foods and beverages, impact food intake, and ultimately nutrition, and provide a warning for spoiled or poisonous food, leaking natural gas, smoke, airborne pollutants, and other hazards. Hence, toxicants that damage these senses have a significant impact on everyday function. As noted in detail, a large number of toxicants encountered in urban and industrial air pollution, including smoke, solvents, metals, and particulate matter can alter the ability to smell. Their influence on taste, i.e., sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory (umami) sensations, is not well documented. Given the rather direct exposure of olfactory receptors to the outside environment, olfaction is particularly vulnerable to damage from toxicants. Some toxicants, such as nanoparticles, have the potential to damage not only the olfactory receptor cells, but also the central nervous system structures by their entrance into the brain through the olfactory mucosa.
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7.
Relationship between food behavior and taste and smell alterations in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A structured review.
Drareni, K, Dougkas, A, Giboreau, A, Laville, M, Souquet, PJ, Bensafi, M
Seminars in oncology. 2019;(2):160-172
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Taste and smell alteration is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy. However, little is known about their influence on patients' food behavior and the mechanisms underpinning their occurrence. This lack of clarity is likely due to a series of factors among which heterogeneity in chemotherapy-induced taste and smell modifications may play a prominent role. The present review provides a critical overview of the evidence on the association between taste and smell alterations and food behavior modifications in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. DESIGN The literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases and restricted to literature for English-language articles published between 1990 and June 2018. Sensory-related terms were combined with food behavior-related terms to identify the studies that examined the association between these two terms. The retrieved studies were grouped based on the taste and smell assessment outcomes. RESULTS Thirteen eligible articles were included in the review. The studies varied in design, length, methodology of assessment, and studied population. The categorization of studies depending on taste and smell assessment outcomes allowed the definition of three patient profiles: unaltered, hypo- and hyperchemosensation (taste and/or smell). Alterations were significantly correlated with patients' energy intake and macronutrient preferences suggesting that sensitivity of each patient to olfactory and gustatory stimuli is likely to play a role in food behavior modulation during cancer and chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The review summarizes and provides relevant associations between taste/smell alterations and food behavior while receiving chemotherapy considering existing individual variations. Given the sensory influence on food behavior modulation, a better characterization of smell and taste alterations before the launch of chemotherapy seems important for a better understanding and management of patients' food behavior trajectory over the treatment.
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8.
The role of taste in alcohol preference, consumption and risk behavior.
Thibodeau, M, Pickering, GJ
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2019;(4):676-692
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is widespread, and high levels of use are associated with increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. Thus, understanding the factors that influence alcohol intake is important for disease prevention and management. Additionally, elucidating the factors that associate with alcohol preference and intake in non-clinical populations allows for product development and optimisation opportunities for the alcoholic beverage industry. The literature on how taste (orosensation) influences alcohol behavior is critically appraised in this review. Ethanol, the compound common to all alcoholic beverages, is generally aversive as it primarily elicits bitterness and irritation when ingested. Individuals who experience orosensations (both taste and chemesthetic) more intensely tend to report lower liking and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, a preference for sweetness is likely associated with a paternal history of alcohol use disorders. However, conflicting findings in the literature are common and may be partially attributable to differences in the methods used to access orosensory responsiveness and taste phenotypes. We conclude that while taste is a key driver in alcohol preference, intake and use disorder, no single taste-related factor can adequately predict alcohol behaviour. Areas for further research and suggestions for improved methodological and analytical approaches are highlighted.
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9.
Chemosensory Changes from Cancer Treatment and Their Effects on Patients' Food Behavior: A Scoping Review.
Nolden, AA, Hwang, LD, Boltong, A, Reed, DR
Nutrients. 2019;(10)
Abstract
Individuals undergoing treatment for cancer can experience changes in taste or smell that are often assumed to affect constructs related to food behavior, although this relationship is rarely measured directly. To ascertain the extent to which measured changes in taste and smell during and after cancer treatment affect food behavior, we conducted a scoping review and completed a comparative analysis for studies that met our criteria, which were: they directly measured cancer patients' (a) psychophysical response to taste and/or olfactory stimuli, and (b) food behavior (including food enjoyment, food preference, dietary intake) in people affected by cancer. Eleven studies met these criteria and were included in the review. All 11 studies evaluated taste and five also measured smell. A comparative analysis exploring taste and food behavior shows that a reduced sweet taste function (decreased sensitivity) was associated with a reduced intake of a variety of different macro and micro nutrients, reduced appetite, and overall lower energy intake. One out of six studies that measured smell and food measured observed changes in olfactory function following cancer treatment. There were no significant relationships reported between olfactory measures and food behavior. Taste changes that arise from cancer treatment appear to have a direct effect on food behavior, although there is a need for more research using standardized measures and larger sample sizes. A better understanding of taste alterations and their implications for dietary intake and food enjoyment will support optimal nutritional health by identifying strategies to help patients eat well during and after cancer treatment.
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10.
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.
Robino, A, Concas, MP, Catamo, E, Gasparini, P
Nutrients. 2019;(8)
Abstract
Genetic variation plays a crucial role in individual differences in food preferences which ultimately influence food selection and health. Our current understanding of this pathway has been informed through twin studies (to assess the heritability of food preferences), candidate gene studies, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, most of this literature is mainly focused on genes previously identified as having taste or smell functions. New data suggests that genes not associated with taste or smell perception may be involved in food preferences and contribute to health outcomes. This review highlights these emerging findings and suggests a polygenic risk assessment approach to explore new relationships between food preferences and health risks.