How Sweet it Is/’nt

Posted by Liz on Jul 7, 2008 in weight | 0 comments

Have you heard people age, they may experience changes in how they perceive things taste? Research suggests that menopause is also accompanied by changes in how taste buds function.

A small study published in the British Dental Journal shows a significant decline specifically in the ways that postmenopausal women perceive sugar and also, the sensitivity of the roof of the mouth to foods. This may be associated with an increased desire for sweeter foods and consequently, a higher risk for weight gain after menopause.

If you guessed that the primary culprit behind these changes is estrogen, you guessed correctly! Turns out estrogen affects many oral tissues, including salivary glands, the temporomandibular joint, the lining of the mouth, and the jawbones. This translates into directly into an increased risk for osteoporosis of the jaws, cavities and gum disease.

So how do you trick your tastebuds and protect your bones and teetch while still eating healthy foods? Yikes! Any suggestions?