|
Smokers have
fewer and flatter taste buds. A study published in the
journal BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, has demonstrated
how cigarettes deaden the ability to taste.
Pavlidis Pavlos led a team of researchers from the Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki who used electrical stimulation
to test the taste threshold of the volunteers and endoscopes
to measure the number and shape of a kind of taste bud
called fungiform papillae. He said, "Statistically important
differences between the taste thresholds of smokers and
non-smokers were detected. Differences concerning the shape
and the vascularisation of fungiform papillae were also
observed".
By applying electrical current to the tongue, a unique
metallic taste can be generated. Measuring how much current
is required before a person perceives this sensation allows
determination of their taste sensitivity. The 28 smokers in
the study group scored worse than the 34 non-smokers. Upon
close examination with a contact endoscope, the smoker's
tongues had flatter fungiform papillae, with a reduced blood
supply. Pavlos concludes, "Nicotine may cause functional and
morphological alterations of papillae, at least in young
adults".
Evaluation of young smokers and non-smokers
with electrogustometry and contact endoscopy. Pavlos
Pavlidis, Vasilios Nikolaidis, Antonia Anogeianaki,
Dimitrios Koutsonikolas, Georgios Kekes and George
Anogiannakis
BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
BioMed Central, Science, Technology and Medicine 08 09
Concise Encyclopedia
Complementary
therapies are offered in conjunction with our fellow
professionals. Where beneficial to you, we may suggest a
“combo” program, combining all or some of the
therapies below:
For more details or to book an appointment for Hypnosis, Reflexology,
Aromatherapy, Reiki, NLP,
contact: us (some out of office hour appointments may be
available from time to time)
More
Why
Stop Smoking Tips and Information
More
Stop
Smoking In The News
Mouth
Cancer risk of nicotine gum and lozenges ...
Tobacco
kills worldwide ...
Blood tests
reveal tobacco smoke residues in non smokers, secondhand
smoke
Health, life
insurers hold billions in tobacco stocks
Nicotine
induces prediabetes, likely contributes to high prevalence
of heart disease in smokers
How They Get
You Addicted ...
Smoking
associated with more rapid progression of multiple sclerosis
Misleading
cigarette packaging ... health hazards
Stop
making excuses, stop smoking FAQS ...
|
