Taste: The Metabolic Sense

Our sense of taste provides the final analysis of food prior to its ingestion and uptake into the body. We are attracted or repelled by visual and olfactory signals of food but once in the mouth only the gustatory sense tells us to spit or to swallow. Bitter and sour tastes induce aversive reactions, indicating toxicity or harm, whereas sweet and savory tastes usually keep their promise of calorie-and nutrient-rich foods. In addition, olfactory and gustatory inputs are integrated with visual, vi…