jellybeanjen

A team at Deakin University are working hard in the fight against obesity to identify tastebuds on the tongue for fat and salt. They hope to find these receptors and and trick them into being stimulated, redicing the overcomsumption of high fat and salty foods.

Since 1970’s food produces have known how to trick the sweetness receptors on the tongue using chemicals which mimic sugar, but the receptors for salt and fat have not yet been identified.

I think it is a great idea, but it would be impossible and impractical to avoid fat and salt completely in a regular diet. There is evidence that when the receptors on the tongue detect sweetness, they not only register sweetness int he brain, but they also prepare our body for the ingestion of carbohydrate. So tricking the brain will leave the body waiting in limbo for the psuedo-carbs!

I the most effective way to curb the obesity epidemic is through education of young children at school and at home, teaching them to develop health eating habits and exercise patterns. It has been proven by numerous scientists and exercise physiologists that development of good routines in childhood, lead to a significantly healthier lifestyle in adulthood. If someone was to compare a photograph of a class of schoolchildren from 50 years ago, absolute minimal proportions (if any at all) are overweight, but a photo from a class of school children today will show that a much greater proportion of children are overweight.

I think that medical science and research into the biophysiology of humans is great, dont get me wrong. But I dont think there should be a place for it in nutrition and weight management. For the majority of people, leading a health lifestyle can be as simple as eating a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. There is no need for diet pills and whacky chemicals that trick the brain into thinking it is getting high fat foods! Seriously people!  Anyone else agree??