A chocolate bar tastes different to each of us. How sweet it is and the smaller aspects like subtle hints of nut and texture depend on our genetic variation. Taste perception impacts the food choices we make, our nutrition, and our overall health. Genetically speaking, the taste response we have represents a phenotype. The five taste qualities we have include sweet, bitter, salty, umami, and sour.
Table of Contents
Bitter
The genetics of bitter taste is unique. These genetics illustrate how individuals all experience bitter taste differently. In fact, it is believed that bitter taste evolved from our ancestors. The bitter taste quality is thought to have appeared based on where our ancestors were located varying greatly on the food around them. This is studied to have developed in order to be a defense mechanism for avoiding toxic and poisonous foods. Food includes nutrients, energy, and fat humans need to live but some food also contains harmful parasites, bacterias, and chemicals. By using the bitter taste, our ancestors evolved to better determine the taste of poisons and potentially harmful foods if ingested.
Genotype
Genetics shows that humans who are more susceptible to the liking of sugar and fat is influenced by a specific genotype. Similar to this, individuals who have the ability to detect bitterness and rotting food have another genotype. Understanding the genotype people possess is highly important and can be used to create tailored programs for individuals. These programs can provide recommendations and dietary guidelines to better support the health of those who are at risk for obesity, inflammation, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
SNP
Below you will find a summary for the gene TAS2R38
TAS2R38
Small changes in our DNA have a large impact on the way we perceive taste. The TAS2R38 gene determines if you taste the bitterness of broccoli and spinach or not. To better understand how this gene influences individuals you first need to consider the DNA of the individual. Second, a taste test is done to see what types of bitter tastes they pick up on. Third, scientists paint the tongue blue to expose the taste buds. Locating where and how many taste buds are on the tongue also has a correlation to the sensitivity of bitter tastes. Researchers also take into consideration the ancestry and where they were geographically located. For more information on the ability to taste bitter foods, please read the study below:
“Genetics of Taste and Smell: Poisons and Pleasures”
Lab Testing
We have the capability to test and assess the specific genes individuals have to create a personalized program that reduces their risk of disease. These tests are incredible and providing this information opens up many opportunities to improve overall health. A specific test we use is DNA Health and DNA Diet from DNA Life. A sample of these two tests is shown below:
If you are curious about your health, start by filling out this metabolic assessment form:
The genes we have are similar but all unique. I find it interesting that my son and I drink breakfast smoothies with spinach and find them to be more sweet and tasty. However, the amount of spinach in my husbands breakfast smoothies has to be significantly less as he can taste the bitterness of spinach by looking at it. Along with this, our environment has a lot to do with how our genes express. It is key to feed our bodies and our genes with the food and nutrients they respond best to. This is where genetic testing is very helpful. –Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach
References:
Reed DR, Knaapila A. Genetics of taste and smell: poisons and pleasures. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2010;94:213?240. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-375003-7.00008-X
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require additional explanation as how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 <tel:9158500900>. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico
Post Disclaimer
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on this entire blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Masters in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card