Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Basic taste stimuli elicit unique responses in facial skin blood flow
Hideaki Kashima1, Naoyuki Hayashi
1Graduate School of Human-Environment Studies, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract:
Facial expression changes characteristically with the emotions induced by basic tastes in humans. We tested the hypothesis that the five basic tastes also elicit unique responses in facial skin blood flow. Facial skin blood flow was measured using laser speckle flowgraphy in 16 healthy subjects before and during the application of basic taste stimuli in the oral cavity for 20 s. The skin blood flow in the eyelid increased in response to sweet and umami taste stimuli, while that in the nose decreased in response to a bitter stimulus. There was a significant correlation between the subjective hedonic scores accompanying these taste stimuli and the above changes in skin blood flow. These results demonstrate that sweet, umami, and bitter tastes induce unique changes in facial skin blood flow that reflect subjective hedonic scores.
More Related Videos
07:12Protocol for Data Collection and Analysis Applied to Automated Facial Expression Analysis Technology and Temporal Analysis for Sensory Evaluation
Published on: August 26, 2016
07:40Whole-Mount Staining, Visualization, and Analysis of Fungiform, Circumvallate, and Palate Taste Buds
Published on: February 11, 2021
Related Concept Videos
The Physiology of Taste
Gustation
Taste Buds and Receptors
Sensory Functions of the Skin
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
The Tongue and Taste Buds
Thermosensation