dose age affect the ability to detect salt
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 5:40 pm
I want to know the Science behind Old salty: Dose age affect the ability to detect salt
Hi Nate111,
Our ability to taste is due to taste buds covering our tongues; taste buds are receptors that transmit electrochemical signals to the brain, via sensory neurons, which allow us to taste certain flavors (or, in some cases, no flavors). As we age, a process called "cellular senescence" leads to many changes that affect all of our senses, including taste. These changes include a decrease in the number of taste buds, shrinking of taste buds, and a loss in the ability of taste buds to regenerate (i.e. after injury; normally, for example, if a taste bud were to get burned, it can regenerate or heal within a few days). Together, these changes lead to a decline in the ability to taste as we age.
--Brandi