The average person has about 10,000 taste buds and they're replaced every 2 weeks or so. But as a person ages, some of those taste cells don't get replaced. An older person may only have 5,000 working taste buds. That's why certain foods may taste stronger to you than they do to adults. Smoking also can reduce the number of taste buds a person has.
But before you give taste buds all the credit for your favorite flavors, it's important to thank your nose. Olfactory (say: ahl-fak-tuh-ree) receptors inside the uppermost part of the nose contain special cells that help you smell. They send messages to the brain.
Here's how it works: While you're chewing, the food releases chemicals that immediately travel up into your nose. These chemicals trigger the olfactory receptors inside the nose. They work together with your taste buds to create the true flavor of that yummy slice of pizza by telling the brain all about it!
When you have a cold or allergies, and your nose is stuffy, you might notice that your food doesn't seem to have much flavor. That's because the upper part of your nose isn't clear to receive the chemicals that trigger the olfactory receptors (that inform the brain and create the sensation of flavor).
Try holding your nose the next time you eat something. You'll notice that your taste buds are able to tell your brain something about what you're eating that it's sweet, for instance but you won't be able to pick the exact flavor until you let go of your nose.
What Are Taste Buds?
But before you give taste buds all the credit for your favorite flavors, it's important to thank your nose. Olfactory (say: ahl-fak-tuh-ree) receptors inside the uppermost part of the nose contain special cells that help you smell. They send messages to the brain.
Here's how it works: While you're chewing, the food releases chemicals that immediately travel up into your nose. These chemicals trigger the olfactory receptors inside the nose. They work together with your taste buds to create the true flavor of that yummy slice of pizza by telling the brain all about it!
When you have a cold or allergies, and your nose is stuffy, you might notice that your food doesn't seem to have much flavor. That's because the upper part of your nose isn't clear to receive the chemicals that trigger the olfactory receptors (that inform the brain and create the sensation of flavor).
Try holding your nose the next time you eat something. You'll notice that your taste buds are able to tell your brain something about what you're eating that it's sweet, for instance but you won't be able to pick the exact flavor until you let go of your nose.
What Are Taste Buds?
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