This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 味の好みは体調のサイン？体が求める味と健康の関係
“Recently, I only want sweet things”
“I want to eat salty things”
“I started to like the tastes that I didn’t like before”
Taste preferences tend to be thought of as a matter of “personality” or “mood,” but
actually, it reflects one’s physical condition and lifestyle at the time.
Author: “There are many things you can notice when you look at taste preferences as messages from your body.”
Taste is a mechanism to protect the body
Human taste is
- Securing energy
- Avoid dangerous things
- Maintain internal balance
It’s a sense for living that we have for this purpose.
Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami each have a meaning for the body.
What happens in your body when your taste preferences change?
① When you want something sweet
Sweetness is a taste that indicates ready-to-use energy.
When you have a strong desire for something sweet,
- Feeling tired
- Lack of sleep
- Blood sugar level is low
Possibly.
In particular,
- Eating less
- Long intervals between meals
In such a lifestyle, the desire for sweetness tends to become strong.
Author: “A desire for sweets is often a sign of a lack of energy in the body.”
② When you want something salty
Salty taste is related to water and mineral balance in the body.
The reason why you want to eat salty food is:
- Easy to sweat
- Insufficient moisture
- Mineral deficiency
.
However, if you have a chronic desire for salt,
it may not be just a matter of preference, but may be due to lifestyle habits.
③ When you are concerned about sour food
Acidity is
- Stimulates appetite
- Stimulates secretion of saliva and gastric juice
It has a function.
When you are tired or
your appetite has decreased, you tend to crave sour tastes.
Author: “It is a natural reaction of the body to want to eat vinegared food during hot weather.”
④ When you are concerned about bitterness
Bitter taste is originally a taste that tells the body that it may be dangerous.
On the other hand
- Coffee
- Beer
- Bitter melon
the habituation of the taste and the change to the taste of adults.
During times of severe stress or fatigue,
some people may want to avoid bitter tastes.
⑤ When you strongly desire umami taste
Umami is
- Protein
- Amino acids
.
When you strongly desire umami,
- Eating is monotonous
- Protein deficiency
Possibly.
Author: “If you feel like no matter what you eat, it’s not enough, it may be a sign to reconsider your nutritional balance.”
Be careful when your taste preferences become extreme
If you continue to have a strong desire for a particular taste, then…
- Nutritional imbalance
- Disturbance of life rhythm
- Chronic fatigue
may be hidden.
Don’t just say “because I like it”,
Let’s use it as a hint to reflect on your recent life.
Points to adjust to changes in taste
① Stabilize the rhythm of meals
Irregular meals can easily throw your sense of taste out of balance.
- Eat at regular times as much as possible
- Do not skip meals
This is the basic thing.
② Nutrition evenly
- Staple food
- Protein
- Wild vegetables and seaweed
,
you will be less likely to be biased towards a particular taste.
③ Don’t rely too much on strong flavors
Once you get used to the strong taste,
- The bland taste is unsatisfactory
- Taste becomes dull easily
Sometimes.
Author: “Just having a gentle taste every now and then can help reset your taste buds.”
Be careful in these cases
- My taste suddenly changed
- Difficulty understanding the taste of food
- Changes in taste and poor physical condition overlap
In such cases,
consider consulting a medical institution.
Summary｜Taste preferences are hints from your body
Taste preferences depend on
✔ Physical condition
✔ Nutritional status
✔ Life rhythm
.
The important thing is
Don’t force yourself to endure it
Be aware of any imbalances
Get your body in order
Author: “Once you become aware of changes in taste, managing your health will become a little easier.
Try to accept your “preferences” as a sign from your body.”
