Taste

Also known as:  Gustation

Taste is a Sense for the appreciation of the flavor of substances in the Mouth.  Taste is detected by Taste Buds located in the epithelium of the Tongue and secondarily in the Pharynx.  The Parietal Lobe of the Cerebral Cortex in the Brain regulates the Nerve Impulses received about Taste.

Digestive Enzymes

 Saliva enhances the ability of the Taste Buds to detect Taste.

Minerals

 Copper is involved in Taste sensitivity.

 Impaired Sense of Taste may occur as a result of Zinc deficiency.  ^[1]

Smart Drugs

 Hydergine may improve the Sense of Taste (according to anecdotal reports).  ^[2]

Vitamins

 Folic Acid may improve the Sense of Taste.  ^[3]

 Lipoic Acid may improve the Sense of Taste.  ^[4]

Impaired sense of Taste is known medically as Hypogeusia or Dysgeusia.

Food Additives

 Aspartame may cause the loss of the Sense of Taste in some people (primarily due to the Methanol content of Aspartame).

Recreational Drugs

 Tobacco smoking may impair the Sense of Taste.