 |
FREE Natural Health Newsletter
Receive natural health product reviews, recommendations and alerts.
Instant download of 20+ free health reports and exclusive interviews.
Join over 1.2 million monthly readers.
|
 |
|
(NaturalNews) Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center report that the ability to perceive the bitter taste of vegetables is a combination of taste genes and the presence of naturally-occurring toxins in a given vegetable. The study appears in the September 19 issue of Current Biology.
Scientists have always assumed that the ability to sense bitterness evolved as a defense mechanism to detect potentially harmful toxins in plants. This study provides support for this hypothesis by establishing that variants of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 can detect glucosinolates, a class of compounds with potentially harmful physiological actions, in natural foods. Glucosinolates are considered anti-thyroid because they inhibit the uptake of iodine into the thyroid which increases the risk of goiter and decreases the levels of thyroid hormones, hence they have come to be collectively known as goitrogens. The thyroid converts iodine into thyroid hormones which are essential for protein synthesis and for regulating the body's metabolism. The ability to taste glucosinolates and then avoid them could be a selective advantage to the "over 1 billion people who are at risk for thyroid insufficiency".
"The findings show that our taste receptors are capable of detecting toxins in the natural setting of the fruit and vegetable plant matrix," said senior author Paul Breslin, a Monell sensory scientist.
Thirty five healthy adults were selected for the study and placed in one of three categories depending on genotype (hTAS2R38 gene). These groups were: 1) sensitive to the bitter tasting chemical PTC, 2)Insensitive to the bitter taste of PTC and 3) Showed intermediate sensitivity.
Each subject was then given a variety of vegetables, some containing glucosinolates while others did not. Examples of the glucosinolate-containing vegetables include watercress, broccoli, bok choy, kale, kohlrabi, and turnip; while the non-glucosinolate foods included radicchio, endive, eggplant and spinach. Subjects with the sensitive receptor rated the glucosinolate-containing vegetables as 60% more bitter than did subjects with the insensitive form. The other vegetables were rated equally bitter by the two groups, demonstrating that variations in the hTAS2R38 gene has specificity to foods containing glucosinolate toxins.
"The sense of taste enables us to detect bitter toxins within foods, and genetically-based differences in our bitter taste receptors affect how we each perceive foods containing a particular set of toxins," summarizes Breslin. Breslin notes, "The contents of the veggies are a double-edged sword, depending upon the physiological context of the individual eating them. Most people in industrialized cultures can and should enjoy these foods. In addition to providing essential nutrients and vitamins, many are reported to have anti-cancer properties."
Reference:
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
The article did not mention that there are ways to get the benefits of these vegetables without the goitrogenic effects. The first and I believe best way is via lacto-fermentation (fermenting with live lactobacillus). The fermentation converts the glucosinolates to harmless substances. Fermentation retains all the cancer-inhibiting properties of these vegetables, retains all the vitamin and mineral content and at the same time actually makes certain enzymes and more vitamins, especially the B vitamins and Vitamin K. The second method is cooking, preferably light steaming. Again, this converts the glucosinolates to harmless compounds.
Boost this article on YahooBuzz! Click "BuzzUp!"
About the authorPatty Donovan was in a wheelchair and could only walk around her house with a cane. She was on over 20 medications. When told to "take the morphine, get in the wheelchair and learn to live with it" by a neurosurgeon, she knew her life had to change. She is now almost a fanatic when it comes to healing through the use of "whole foods" and and natural remedies. Since that time, she has spent countless hours researching nutrtion and alternative health. After spending 30 years in the allopathic health care industry in both pharmacy and as an RN, she brings a unique perspective to Natural News readers. Since committing to this new life style, she no longer uses even a cane, has gotten off over 20 medications, lost over 50lbs and returned to work.
 Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
 |
Is this omega-3 oil better than anti-inflammatory medications?The Health Ranger has replaced fish oils, krill oil and flaxseed oil with THIS. What is THIS?
Click here to find out more
'The most potent supplement I've ever experienced for easing inflammation.' - the Health Ranger
|
The Health Ranger reveals financial protection strategies for tough timesThis eight-CD audio seminar by the Health Ranger reveals hard-core financial protection strategies for surviving the next wave of the global financial crisis.
Click here to protect yourself now
"Guaranteed to deliver the most powerful financial protection advice you've ever seen or your money back!" - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
|
Recommended Products Related to This Article*:Vitamineral Green from Healthforce
Nutrient-dense superfood powder
for disease prevention, body alkalizing & more
Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL☯
Simply the best juicer in the world
for fast, easy juicing
Boku Superfood
High-potency superfood powder
for preventing numerous diseases
Nascent Iodine
Miraculous nascent iodine solution
for thyroid function, Alzheimer's, brain func.
Additional Products of Interest to AllParaliminal Audio Courses☯
Powerful mind-enhancing audio therapy
for reprogramming your mind for a new future
How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days☯
Health Ranger guide to reversing diabetes
for reversing type-2 diabetes
Preparedness Tools Natural News Bundle☯
For preparedness and safety: 60% off
for preparing for natural disasters
Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier☯
#1 personal water purifier
for clean, pristine water in seconds
Healing Cancer From the Inside Out (DVD)
Amazing, eye-opening cancer documentary
for anyone wanting to know the truth on cancer
Zeitgeist: Addendum - Must-See Movie
A shocking documentary about money
for people who wan to know the real truth
The Genie In Your Genes by Dawson Church
A free, downloadable summary of this book
for learning about the biology of intention
Spirulina Pacifica
Pure, pristine spirulina superfood
for cancer prevention, alkalizing, immune func
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
A free download of Biology of Belief
for learning about the mind-biology connection
Living Fuel SuperBerry Ultimate
Delicious superfood meal powder
for disease prevention, antioxidant boost
The Weiss Method for Heart Disease☯
How to reverse heart disease naturally
for heart disease, high cholesterol
Appetite for Profit (free download)
Free download summary of this top book
for discovering the truth about food companies
Hair Soap
A pure, simple and chemical-free shampoo
for washing hair without chemicals
Exposed! The Toxic Chemistry of Products
Free summary of this shocking book
for learning the truth about toxic products
Aloe Vera 100
Pure, dried 100% aloe vera gel flakes
for sludge blood, IBS, Crohn's disease
Free download: Selling Sickness (summary)
Read the best book on disease mongering
for learning the truth about Big Pharma
Revealed: Natural Health Solutions (free)
Free summary of book by Mike Adams
for learning censored natural health remedies
Katadyn MicroPur Water Purifier Tablets☯
The best water purification tablets
for purifying almost any water source
Fucoxanthin with PinnoThin
Natural appetite suppressant
for obesity, overweight, overeating
Zyflamend
Powerful anti-inflammatory herbal formula
for arthritis, joint pain, inflammation
Blood Support
Halts growth of cancer tumors
for breast cancer and all cancers
Amaz-a-Power
Amazing wild berry tincture from Peru
for eye & brain protection, cancer prevention
P-73 Oreganol
Potent source of wildcrafted oregano oil
for parasites, heart disease, immune func.
Ocean Minerals Pure Magnesium Oil
#1 product for magnesium therapy
for back pain, heart health, muscle health
MGC-5 Mushroom Extracts
Potent extracts of medicinal mushrooms
for reversing cancer, boosting immune function
Better Than Roasted - Macadamia Nuts☯
The most delicious raw nut spread ever
for heart health, circulatory health
* Products do NOT pay to be listed here. These are genuine, independent recommendations by the Health Ranger
☯ Products with this symbol are sold by NaturalNews or its affiliates and earn revenues for NaturalNews
|
|
Printable Version
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: 
