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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
10:29
Measuring Oral Fatty Acid Thresholds, Fat Perception, Fatty Food Liking, and Papillae Density in Humans
Published on: June 4, 2014
Taste, food intake and obesity
1Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY, USA.
Summary
Recent research highlights how taste influences food intake, sensory-specific satiety, and the thermic effect of food. Studies now explore
Area of Science:
- Human eating behavior
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Taste significantly impacts food palatability, selection, and intake.
- Sensory-specific satiety, satiation, and the thermic effect of food are key components of eating behavior.
- Previous research established taste's role, but recent studies offer deeper insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature (last decade) on taste's impact on food intake.
- To emphasize differences between lean and obese individuals regarding taste and food intake.
- To explore how these differences contribute to obesity development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies published in the last decade.
- Analysis of research comparing 'wanting' versus 'liking' of food.
- Inclusion of studies utilizing neuroimaging techniques to understand brain function related to food intake.
Main Results:
- Recent research has expanded understanding of taste's influence on food intake.
- New insights into the 'wanting' versus 'liking' dichotomy in food consumption.
- Neuroimaging studies reveal brain mechanisms underlying food intake regulation.
Conclusions:
- Taste perception plays a critical role in regulating food intake.
- Differences in taste processing between lean and obese individuals may predispose to obesity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate these mechanisms and inform interventions.
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