Siddharth's Tastebud Theory
Siddharth’s Tastebud Theory
Author
Siddharth Tiwary is an Indian student in grade 10 (2021-22),
studied at Apeejay School Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. His
hobbies include Dancing, Swimming and Researching on ambient materials.
He is a qualifier in National Children Science Congress
(2021-22) at the national level initiated by Government of India. His project
was about a device and an automatic-system which can save lives during critical
situations such as emergencies. In his late childhood he has appeared in
various reality shows like Superdancer chapter 2, Dus ka Dum and Kaun Banega
Crore Pati.
Introduction
Human beings are born with around 10,000 tastebuds, most of which are
located directly on the tongue. These taste buds help us enjoy the five primary
tastes:
- sweet
- sour
- salty
- bitter
- umami
Various factors can
affect our taste buds and change the way we perceive taste; including aging,
illness, medical conditions, nutrient deficiencies, nerve damage, medications, smoking.
Exclusive of these factors, whose
information are readily available everywhere, there exists another factor which
this theory paper will be discussing about.
A yet another factor which
effects our tastebuds is our mastication habit (chewing habit).
Thesis statement : “The
chewing habit of an organism has a prominent role in the gradient of sensing by the tastebuds”.
The Tastebud Theory
Initially to prove this thesis
is already discovered or not. Some research work was done on the internet. Till
now, no thesis or proved work has been published on this statement.
Here are all the discovered factors
which affect our sensing of tastebuds :-
1. Viral or bacterial infections
Upper respiratory infections, whether viral or bacterial, can
cause symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose. These symptoms
can reduce your sense of smell, which in turn can impact your perception of
taste.
2. Medical conditions
Nervous system disorders that affect the nerves of the mouth or
brain, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Alzheimer’s
disease, may cause a change in the perception of taste. In addition, some non-nervous
system disorders, such as cancer, can alter taste perception – especially
during treatment.
3. Nutrient deficiencies
Malnutrition can cause a deficiency in certain vitamins and
minerals that are necessary for the taste buds to function properly.
Deficiencies in the following nutrients may lead to a loss of taste:
- vitamin A
- vitamin B6
- vitamin B12
- zinc
- copper
4. Nerve damage
Nerves found along the pathway from the mouth to the brain are
responsible for taste bud function and the perception of flavour. Nerve damage
anywhere along this pathway, whether from injury or illness, can contribute to
a change in your taste buds.
Some of the potential
- ear infections
- ear surgery
- dental procedures
- surgical
procedures of the mouth
- facial nerve
dysfunction
- brain trauma
5. Medications
Some medications may change your taste buds and alter your
perception of taste. The most common medications that affect your sense of
taste are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, which are used to treat
high blood pressure.
Other medications may cause a change in taste by contributing to
dry mouth, which makes it hard for the taste buds to recognize taste chemicals.
Some of the common
- antibiotics
- antidepressants
- antifungals
- antihistamines
- antihypertensives
- anti-inflammatories
- antipsychotics
- antivirals
- CNS medications
- diuretics
- muscle relaxants
- thyroid
medications
6. Aging
As we age, our taste buds not only diminish in number, but also
change in function. The 10,000 taste buds we are born with begin to decrease as
we move into middle age. The taste buds that remain also experience a decrease
in size and sensitivity, which can make it harder to perceive taste.
The loss of smell that occurs with aging can also lead to a
decrease in the sense of taste as we age
7. Smoking
Smoking can also negatively affect your sense of taste, among
other harmful long-term effects. The chemicals contained in cigarettes, such as
carcinogens and alkaloids, can alter the receptors contained in your taste
buds.
In addition, there is one more important factor that has an impact on the sensing
of our tastebuds.
Source: thewellnessdigest.com
This thesis was developed when I discovered in the mid 2021 that
my face was asymmetric because my right cheek muscles (Buccinator) was evidently more toned
in contrast to my left cheek muscles. The reason for the same which I researched and observed is that
I’ve been chewing with my right side of my mouth predominantly more than my
left side. This caused my right buccinator (cheek muscle) to become more toned
than the left. Hence, my left cheek was more flaccid and elastic athwart
my right cheek.
Henceforth, I commenced to chew with my left side of my mouth to
create an oral equilibrium. During this process, I discerned that I was unable to
sense the same degree of taste which I was able to from the right side of my mouth. This
brought me to a conclusion that our chewing habit has a predominant role in
the degree of tasting capability.
To confirm my hypothesis, An experiment was performed on 6 subjects. In this experiment, 6 subjects were selected of age 9, 12, 17, 22, 36 and 46 respectively without any premedical conditions
described above. This experiment was commenced in June, 2021 and was completed in February,
2022.
The three subjects were instructed to chew food items from only with the right side of their mouth dominantly in their daily routine and the remaining three subjects were instructed to chew food items from only with the left side of their mouth (Note: this was done with the intention to diversify the extent of outcomes). This experiment performed till the time duration of 8 months. (Note: there were no intentions of this specific duration for this experiment).
At the end of this experiment, the subjects were told now to chew
their food from the opposite side (non-dominant side) in contrast to the side they were
chewing in the experiment.
The three subjects who were instructed to chew only form their right
side of the mouth till 8 months found that they couldn’t sense the same degree
of taste from which they were able to from their dominant side (right). And
similar case occurred with other three test subjects who were instructed the opposite
in contrast to the two others. The side of their mouth which they never used (or used the least) was able to taste less than the side which they predominantly used (during the experiment). Hence, this experiment advocated and supported the hypothesis.
However, there maybe counter-arguments from the above experiment:-
- The experiment was performed on the same subject which shared similar genetics.
- The duration of the experiment was minuscule or protracted.
- Credibility and qualifications of the performer of the experiment.
The complementary counter-argument to this is that there is still no proven data or fact for the same that the sense of degree of taste is affected by genetics (excluding congenital anomalies).
Conclusion
· Therefore, we can safely arrive on a conclusion that “The chewing habit of an organism has a prominent role in the gradient and degree of sensing by the tastebuds”.
· The cause behind this is still not known, as this requires proper medical experimentation with proper diversification of the subjects.
· A yet another reason I assume/contemplate is that the tastebuds which are not been dominantly used are diminished.
Bibliography
·
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/taste-buds-change#causes
·
https://qnaguides.com/QA-How-Does-the-Shape-and-Style-of-Glass-Affect-the-Taste-of-Wine.html
·
https://www.healthhype.com/taste-buds-on-the-human-tongue.html
·
https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/taste-buds
Great Research mate!
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