What Is The Benefit Of Bitter Taste

Many people know that sweets are harmful not only for the figure and teeth, but also for the heart, nervous system and even the beauty of the skin. And did you know that its antagonist - bitter taste - has the opposite effect not only on the taste buds, but also on the general state of health?

Bitter radish, wormwood tincture and even grapefruit, unlike nuts with boiled condensed milk, do not appeal to everyone. However, the not the most pleasant taste is fully compensated by the effect these products have on digestion, immunity and brain function.

Good news for those with a sweet tooth: adding food with a bitter taste to the diet is much easier than it seems at first glance. Let's find out more.

Bitter taste and evolution

In the ranking of the most favorite tastes , bitter takes the last place, after lemon-sour and burning-spicy. It is fair to note that such an attitude is fully justified. The bitterness of certain plants and fruits signaled to ancient people that the food was potentially dangerous, poisonous or simply unripe.

Evolution has taught humans to stay away from bitter foods , lately having mercy on double espressos and dark chocolate. Even among gourmets, there are few fans of Chinese pumpkin or radish, and viburnum only the very brave are ready to eat in handfuls.

However, this is not necessary, because the bitter taste is useful even in small concentrations. Light bitterness , present in any leafy greens, sesame or broccoli, already has a positive effect on health.

Improvement of digestion

The human body contains many receptors that perceive bitter taste , not only in the mouth, but also in the stomach, liver, intestines and pancreas. Stimulation of these receptors increases the production of digestive enzymes, which in turn improves the absorption of nutrients from food.

The effects of foods like fenugreek or chicory root on the entire digestive system are similar to probiotics: they stimulate the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria and generally support the diversity of the microbiome. And if we remember that there is a certain relationship between the condition of the gut and mental health, there is reason to say that a diet rich in bitter foods and drinks contributes (in contrast to sweets) to a good mood.

Stabilization of sugar level

In traditional medicine, tinctures of bitter herbs have long been used to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Given that insulin contains bitter taste receptors , the hypoglycemic effect of any products containing it is quite logical. Of course, radishes are not a substitute for diabetes medicine, but balancing the love of strawberry cheesecake with them will be useful. 

Decreased appetite

Bitter foods can suppress cravings for sweets and generally keep appetite under control. Researchers explain this effect by complex mechanisms involving hormones that control the feeling of satiety. It is difficult even for scientists to understand these processes, but everyone can notice the result. Participants in a small study who took capsules containing bitter compounds an hour before lunch ended up consuming 30% fewer calories than those who took a placebo.

Improvement of liver function

While sweets contribute to fatty liver, bitter food supports its health. Even such a slight and almost imperceptible bitterness , which is possessed by leafy greens, accelerates detoxification processes, coordinates the metabolism of sugar and fat, and also lowers cholesterol. Which, of course, has a positive effect on the whole body in general.