HAVING a taste for fat could actually be the best way of avoiding unhealthy foods and escaping the obesity epidemic, Victorian researchers say.
A new study led by Deakin University has found fat has a taste all of its own, which could be manipulated to help fight obesity.
For decades scientists believed the human tongue could only detect five tastes – sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umani (protein-rich foods) – however the new research has found fat is a measurable sixth taste.
Significantly, the researchers found those who have the highest sensitivity for taste of fat actually eat less fatty food and have less likelihood of being overweight.
Deakin’s Dr Russell Keast, who worked with colleagues from the University of Adelaide, CSIRO and New Zealand’s Massey University, said the discovery provided the possibility of a new generation of diet foods, where low-fat foods could be laced with the taste of fat to trick the body into a healthier diet.
Those with the least sensitivity to fat taste are the most likely to be fatter than those with a strong appreciation of the taste.
The discovery of fat taste is revealed in the British Journal of Nutrition.
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According to Dr Keast, the study could pave the way for the creation of better-tasting foods with low levels of fat – that more consumers actually enjoy eating.
”Obesity is a major problem and the leading cause of preventable death worldwide,” he said.
”So when we understand one of the factors involved in developing obesity – which we think this certainly is – it could help us look at a set of strategies to reduce obesity
