We’ve been programmed to crave sweet, salty, and fatty foods since childhood. Just think about it. What tastes dominated your favorite snacks growing up? Probably not bitterness. That sharp, sometimes ...

A bitter taste has always been considered a warning signal, devoted to protecting us from ingesting potentially harmful ...

Discover the biology and evolution behind why humans naturally dislike bitter tastes, yet often grow to love foods like IPAs, ...

New research from the Monell Center reveals that tumor necrosis factor (TNF), an immune system regulatory protein that promotes inflammation, also helps regulate sensitivity to bitter taste. The ...

That mouth-puckering sensation might make you wince, but bitter foods deserve a special place on your plate. While your taste buds might protest at first, your liver is secretly cheering you on. Those ...

Many people find bitter foods hard to enjoy, especially in childhood. But if you’ve noticed adults sipping black coffee or ...

Even if they’re toxic in large doses, small amounts of certain bitter compounds interact with our bodies in ways that feel good - like the caffeine in coffee and tea. We seek them out because we like ...

For many people affected by cancer, eating and drinking can become unexpectedly challenging. Once enjoyable foods may taste bland, metallic, overly sweet, or even unpleasant. These changes can occur ...