Lena Savoie
Alcohol is an acquired taste, and many people find it bitter or burning. Whether or not you like the taste of alcohol may be in your genes, according to new research. People with one version of a bitterness taste receptor gene find alcoholic drinks less bitter-tasting than those with a different version of the gene. This may be why all alcohol tastes the same to you. Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic, and it makes you pee, which is why you wake up thirsty after drinking. Alcohol also deadens your taste buds, making the next drink taste better.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol taste perception | Depends on genetic factors |
| Bitterness taste genes | Influence the risk of becoming problem drinkers |
| Taste genetics | Important risk factor before someone becomes alcohol-dependent |
| Number of genes encoding taste receptors on the tongue | 25 |
| Taste receptor genes | TAS2R13 and TAS2R38 |
| Burn receptor gene | TRPV1 |
| Alcohol | A diuretic |
| Alcohol | Deadens your taste buds |
| Alcohol | An acquired taste |
| Alcohol | Activates pain receptors in the mouth, nose, and throat |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol is an acquired taste
Alcohol is a diuretic, a substance that eliminates water from the body by increasing urination. Beer, for instance, depletes 96% of the body's water content. Alcohol also deadens taste buds and is addictive. It is also known to create a reward in the brain, which makes us want to go back for more.
However, it is important to note that humans have not evolved to innately enjoy the taste of alcohol. Many people remember their first experiences with alcohol as teenagers or young adults, causing a burning sensation or even gagging. It is only over time that many people acquire a taste for it. This is similar to how a child might happily eat cake and drink Kool-Aid all day, while an adult would typically be put off by all that sugar.
Alcohol, without additives, is ethanol, which is the same ethanol found in gasoline. Pure alcohol tastes awful, and a very small amount can be lethal. Extensive processes and additives are used to make it taste good enough to drink, but none of these processes reduce the harm associated with drinking gasoline.
Whether or not one likes the taste of alcohol may be in their genes, according to new research. People with one version of a bitterness taste receptor gene found an alcoholic drink to be less bitter-tasting than those with a different version of the gene.
It is important to remember that a host of cultural and environmental factors also contribute to a person's drinking behavior.
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Genetics and taste receptors
The human tongue has 25 genes that encode for taste receptors that perceive bitterness. These include TAS2R13, TAS2R38, and TRPV1, which codes for a receptor involved in perceiving "burning" or "stinging" sensations in the mouth.
Alleles in the TAS2R38 gene have been linked to the ability to perceive bitterness in bitter-tasting compounds and foods. People with these bitterness sensitivity alleles are less likely to consume alcohol due to its bitter taste. Those with the bitterness variant of the TAS2R38 gene drank half as often as those without it.
Genetic variations in taste perception can also modify alcohol drinking behavior in different populations. For instance, a study found that taste preference-related genetic polymorphisms influenced alcohol consumption behavior in the Hungarian general and Roma populations.
The perception of bitterness can also be influenced by cultural and environmental factors, such as the sweetness of a sherry or the aromas of a cocktail, which may mask the bitter taste of alcohol. Additionally, social factors and herd mentality can also play a role in alcohol consumption, regardless of individual taste preferences.
Furthermore, alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates the body, and the resulting thirst may lead individuals to consume more alcohol, regardless of its taste. While genetics and taste receptors play a role in alcohol consumption, other biological, psychological, and social factors also contribute to an individual's drinking behavior.
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Alcohol's bitter taste
Firstly, genetics play a role in how individuals perceive the bitterness of alcohol. Humans have 25 genes that encode taste receptors on the tongue that perceive bitterness, and variations in these genes can lead to different sensitivities to bitter tastes. Research has shown that people with certain versions of bitterness taste receptor genes find alcoholic drinks less bitter than those with other genetic variations.
Secondly, cultural and environmental factors also contribute to an individual's drinking behavior and their perception of alcohol's taste. For example, social norms and peer influence can affect drinking habits, and repeated exposure to alcohol can lead to acquired tastes.
Additionally, the ingredients and manufacturing processes of alcoholic beverages influence their bitterness. Polyphenols and iso-α-acids extracted from grapes and hops are the primary bitter substances in wine and beer, while microbial metabolites, including bitter peptides and higher alcohols, contribute to the bitterness of liquor and rice wine. The time it takes for bitterness to reach maximum intensity in the mouth is longer than other basic tastes, and the specific chemical structure of bitter compounds, such as phenols in wine, can create different bitter sensations.
Furthermore, alcohol is known to deaden taste buds and enhance certain flavors, which can impact the perception of bitterness. Alcohol's diuretic properties can also lead to dehydration, affecting the brain's ability to function and potentially altering taste perception.
While the exact receptor-binding mechanism of bitter agonists in alcoholic beverages remains unclear, ongoing research aims to establish normative bitterness scoring methods and distinguish acceptable and unacceptable bitterness levels to improve the flavor of alcoholic drinks.
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Herd mentality and normalisation
The phenomenon of "herd mentality", also known as “group mentality” or “groupthink”, refers to the tendency of individuals to conform their beliefs and behaviours to those of the group they belong to. This drive to belong is an evolutionary trait that historically kept our ancestors safe, as groups provided protection and stability. Over time, groups develop shared norms, values, and beliefs that are accepted as fact by their members.
In modern times, herd mentality can be observed in various contexts, including educational institutions, organisations, and affinity groups. For example, in a social setting, when someone turns down an alcoholic drink, it is common for others in the group to launch into justifications for their own drinking, creating a sense of normalisation around alcohol consumption. This can be explained by the herd mentality concept—individuals conform to the group's norms and beliefs, and those who do not are often seen as outsiders.
Herd mentality can have both positive and negative outcomes. On the one hand, it can create a sense of harmony and security within a group, leading to quicker problem-solving and consensus. On the other hand, it can lead to poor decisions and negative consequences, such as in the 2008 financial crisis, where groupthink and illusions of invulnerability contributed to bad investment decisions.
In the context of alcohol consumption, herd mentality can influence drinking behaviours and contribute to normalisation. Social norms and peer pressure can play a significant role in encouraging drinking, especially in certain cultural and environmental contexts. For example, in some social circles, drinking alcohol may be seen as a rite of passage or a way to fit in with peers. This normalisation of alcohol consumption can lead to individuals engaging in drinking behaviours despite the known health risks associated with alcohol, such as liver damage and immune system issues.
Additionally, herd mentality can impact the perception of taste. For example, individuals may develop a preference for the taste of alcohol due to social influences and the desire to conform to group norms. This is particularly relevant when considering the role of genetics in taste perception. Research suggests that variations in certain bitterness taste receptor genes can influence how bitter an individual perceives alcohol to be, which in turn may impact their inclination to start drinking. However, cultural and environmental factors also play a significant role in drinking behaviours, and the influence of herd mentality and normalisation cannot be overlooked.
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Alcohol's effect on the brain
When you drink alcohol, it doesn't actually have a direct impact on your taste buds or your sense of smell, which are the primary drivers of how we perceive flavour. Instead, alcohol affects the way your brain interprets these senses, changing the way you experience taste and smell. This is because alcohol is what's known as a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows down the functions of the brain and body.
One of the key effects of alcohol on the brain is that it blocks the activity of excitatory neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that stimulate the brain to take action. One of these neurotransmitters is glutamate, which is responsible for enhancing sensory perception. By blocking glutamate, alcohol reduces your ability to distinguish between different flavours and smells. This is why, as you drink more, the nuances between different drinks start to become less apparent, and everything starts to taste more similar.
Additionally, alcohol can affect the way your brain processes odour information. The smell, or aroma, of a drink is a major component of how we perceive its flavour. Alcohol can impair the functioning of the olfactory bulb, which is responsible for processing smell information, making it harder to distinguish between different smells. This is why you might find it harder to identify the subtle notes in a wine or beer once you've had a few drinks.
Alcohol also affects the brain's reward system, increasing the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This is why drinking alcohol can feel enjoyable, and why some people may continue to drink despite not being able to taste the differences between drinks. The brain is essentially rewarding the action of drinking, regardless of the specific flavour or taste.
The impact of alcohol on the brain's interpretation of taste and smell is also influenced by individual factors, such as genetic variations and tolerance levels. Some people may naturally have a higher sensitivity to the taste of alcohol, or they may metabolise it differently, which can affect how it interacts with their sensory perception. Additionally, regular exposure to alcohol can lead to increased tolerance, which means a person needs to drink more to achieve the same effects, and this can further dull the senses and make it harder to distinguish flavours.
In summary, alcohol doesn't directly affect your taste buds or sense of smell, but it alters how your brain processes and interprets this sensory information. This can make it harder to distinguish between different flavours and smells, and it's why all alcohol may start to taste similar, especially as you consume more. Understanding the effects of alcohol on the brain can help explain why your perception of taste may be impaired when drinking.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol is an acquired taste, and it is not something that humans are hardwired to innately enjoy. It is bitter and astringent, and even if some have very little taste, they can still activate the pain receptors in your mouth, nose, and throat. People who find the taste of alcohol less bitter may be more inclined to start drinking.
An acquired taste is something that is not hardwired into the brain. Acquired tastes are unlikely to be enjoyed without substantial repeated exposure.
The brain is learning the value or harm of something via taste. The brain is also learning about the intoxicating effects that alcohol has on you and how it affects you specifically when you consume it.
Yes, according to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, how people perceive and taste alcohol depends on genetic factors, and that likely influences whether they like and consume alcoholic beverages.
No, alcohol is a diuretic, a substance that eliminates water from your system by making you pee. Dehydration from drinking can actually shrink your brain and affect its ability to function.
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