Changes in taste perception following mental or physical stress

Area of Science:

• Sensory science
• Human physiology
• Psychology

Background:

• Taste perception is influenced by tastant properties and the taster's physiological and psychological state.
• Mood states, fatigue, and tension can impact sensory experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of mental and physical fatigue on human taste sensitivity.
• To evaluate how mood state influences the perception of bitter, sour, and sweet tastes.

Main Methods:

• Human subjects underwent mental tasks (computer) or physical tasks (ergometer).
• Taste responses to quinine sulfate (bitter), citric acid (sour), and sucrose (sweet) were measured using a computerized time-intensity (TI) system.
• Psychological mood states were assessed using the Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Mental tasks significantly reduced the perceived duration and intensity of bitter, sour, and sweet tastes.
• Physical tasks did not significantly alter bitterness or sweetness perception but shortened the aftertaste duration of sourness.
• Salivary buffering capacity increased after physical tasks.

Conclusions:

• Both mental and physical tasks differentially alter taste perception.
• The underlying mechanisms responsible for these fatigue-induced changes in taste remain to be elucidated.