The Obese Taste Bud Study

The Obese Taste Bud Study

The sense of taste is essential for priming food preferences and is therefore important for caloric uptake and body weight regulation. Recent studies show that obesity is linked to changes in taste sensation but also to a loss of taste buds on the tongue. This study aims to evaluate underlying mechanisms within the taste buds to potentially influence the sense of taste on the level of these sensory cells and in order to develop new treatment strategies to fight obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9)
• obesity (BMI >=30)
• overall healthy (no severe sickness, no cancer)
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• current pregnancy or currently breastfeeding
• cancer or tumors
• state after radiotherapy at head-neck area
• state after or current chemotherapy
• severe psychiatric-, cardiac-, kidney- or neurological illness
• diagnosed diabetes mellitus
• known dysfunction of smelling or tasting
• drug or alcohol abuse
• permanent medication with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, steroids and/or immunosuppressants