Love Pasta? Experts Blame It On The New Type Of Taste

Do you know about the existence of the sixth sense? Experts at the Deakin University, Australia suggest that those who cannot help but consume breads and pastas have a sixth sense for carbohydrates. Traditionally, human taste buds are believed to recognize five tastes - sweet, salty, sour, umami and bitter. Researchers believe that a handful of people may as well be extra sensitive to the taste typically associated with carbohydrates and may crave it more often as compared to other people. These people may automatically detect starchy taste in food items and crave carbs.

It was found that people sensitive to the taste of starchy food items and carbs were more likely to consume these food items and put on weight. On examining a group of 34 individuals, it was revealed that most of them could easily identify common carbs found in items like rice, breads and pastas. Participants' sensitivity to the taste, their food consumption pattern, calorie intake and waist measurements were also taken into account.

The study appeared in the Journal of Nutrition and pointed at excessive consumption of energy dense foods to trigger obesity. It was concluded that those with an increased sensitivity toward the 'taste' of carbohydrates may end up consuming more of it, thereby exposing themselves to a heightened risk of obesity and associated ailments.

Carbohydrates are one of the primary sources of energy needed by the body; however excessive consumption of refined or simple carbs may trigger weight gain.