Study Finds Women More Sensitive To Food Flavors

How well can you identify the bitter, sour, sweet and salty flavors in the food you consume? Women may have the edge over men, according to a new study. The findings show that women have up to 1,100 buds per square centimeter of tongue. Those with minimal buds, called nontasters, may have just 11 per square centimeter of tongue.

“Women are more likely to be what we call supertasters,” explains Valerie Duffy, an assistant professor of dietetics at the University of Connecticut. About 25 percent of the population fits that description.

Having more taste buds brings a hypersensitivity to sweets, more ability to detect fat and less tolerance for hot peppers and alcohol, which are perceived as irritants by the papilla on the front of the tongue.

Duffy says supertasters may get more satisfaction from smaller amounts of fat, a definite plus, but nontasters tend to have more nutritionally balanced diets. A low bud count doesn’t necessarily mean you enjoy food less than superbudded folks, Duffy adds. Train yourself to appreciate more taste sensations by breathing in, taking a bite and savoring each chew.

If you’re wondering whether you’re a supertaster, nontaster or something in between, try this test with a friend: Swab some blue food coloring on the front of your tongues with a cotton ball or Q-tip. Using a magnifier, check out all the pink circles with blue dots inside and compare your bud count with that of your buddy.