We all have preferences when it comes to food. Some prefer sweet tastes; others select spicy flavors. Picky eaters tend to label themselves as people who don’t enjoy foods outside their comfort zone due to their food preferences.
Picky eaters are often accused of having an underdeveloped palate. Still, a selective palate is what it is, and there might be an explanation for your particular likes and dislikes.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Mark Umbrella
Taste buds don’t always enjoy heightened senses of taste. Many people fail to incorporate a wide variety of foods in their overall diet, which is essential for obtaining a spectrum of nutrients and supporting a diverse gut microbiome.
Supertasters: What Are They And How Common Are They?
Jenna Volpe, RDN, L.D., a registered dietitian, said it begins by explaining that supertasting is about experiencing as much as possible. There are so many taste buds in their bodies that they have a keen sense of taste. There is no exact number of taste buds in supertasters compared to non-supertasters.
The Health Consequences Of Being A Supertaster
Generally, supertasters have difficulty with bitter and spicy foods. Bitterness is due to their sensitivity to PTC, and spiciness is due to the increased pain receptors on their tongues. It leads to supertasters avoiding certain foods or masking their intense tastes with an overdose of salt.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nicoleta Ionescu
Supertasters: The Pros And Cons
It’s not all bad to be a supertaster. Taste buds have a lot to offer when they are allowed to perform to their full potential. Volpe says supertasters are more likely to eat portions of food that match their bodies’ needs rather than mindlessly eating,” which may reduce the likelihood of overeating or developing metabolic syndrome. Supertasters can also experience intense flavors from overly sweet foods. However, more research is needed.