Researchers find smoking effects taste buds and blood supply - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

8/20/09

Researchers find smoking effects taste buds and blood supply

Posted:

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD)-  If you really want to enjoy your favorite meal, you'll need to kick the smoking habit. 

A new study finds a difference in the shape and number of taste buds on the tongues of smokers and non-smokers. Researchers electronically stimulated the tongues of dozens of Greek soldiers to determine their taste sensitivity and they found all the smokers scored worse than the non-smokers. 

After examining all the tongues, they found the smokers' tongues actually had flatter taste buds with a lower blood supply.

©2009 KCBD NewsChannel 11. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  • HealthWise Health Center

  • Look inside here for the latest on children's health tips, infections, nutrition, allergies and more.

  • See inside for information on breast cancer, menopause, pregnancy, heart disease, dieting, nutrition, and the latest women's health news.

  • Learn more about the latest health concerns facing men, as well as conditions most commonly experienced like prostate cancer.

  • Get the latest on arthritis, memory loss, heart conditions, osteoporosis and the latest news on seniors' health.

  • Alzheimer's disease is a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It is marked by progressive deterioration, which affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual. Learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.