The number of taste buds we have on our tongue decrease as we get older, and lower the number of taste buds,more likely for fasting blood sugar to be higher than normal,researchers have found.AS high fasting blood sugar level is one of the main criteria for diagnosing diabetes type 2,so it is suggested that the number of taste buds plays a role in glucose metabolism during ageing.
The reduced number of taste buds with advancing age might be linked to increased incidence of type 2 diabetes among older adults.The data from ONGOING Baltimore Longitudinal study of ageing between 2011 and 2014 was analysed and association of old age and fewer number of taste buds was found. A previous larger clinical study (Beaver Dam Offspring Study ) also has found the same association.
It is very possible that they could be unrelated,but very possible that having fewer taste buds means fewer hormones are secreted that may control glucose metabolism,researchers say.Further studies are required to confirm this association.
This study was presented at the joint 16th International Congress of Endocrinology and 96th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society held in June 2014.
