Sensation Domain - NIH Toolbox

The senses of smell and taste monitor the intake into
the body of all the body’s nutrients.
The senses of smell and taste . . .
• determine flavor and palatability of foods and beverages,
• provide early warning of danger from toxic fumes,
smoke, spoiled food, or poisons,
• influence salt and fat consumption that contributes to chronic
illnesses and conditions (e.g., hypertension and obesity),
• provide hedonic pleasures that enhance the quality of life.
►14 million (7%) U.S. adults have impaired sense of smell
►25% of U.S. population can’t taste the “bitterness” of PTC/PROP
Sources: Bartoshuk et al., 1998; Murphy et al., 2002; Schubert et al., 2012.