Haunting sweetness
The sweetness that spreads in your mouth from just eating a cake is a very pleasant sensation.
But, if a person’s saliva continues to be sugary, even after herring, even after jellied meat with horseradish, it’s worth thinking about. The reasons for the appearance of a constant sweetish taste in the mouth may be: Article on the topic First Aid. How to act in case of poisoning before doctors arrive
poisoning with chemicals (for example, pesticides or phosgene) - if, in addition to a sweet taste, a person feels weak and unwell and understands that he may have had contact with poisons, he should immediately consult a doctor;
changes in carbohydrate metabolism in the body and impaired insulin production - with a lack of insulin in the blood, sugar accumulates in the blood and lymphatic fluid, penetrates into saliva and it becomes sweet. Therefore, the first thing you should do when a persistent sweet taste appears is to contact an endocrinologist and donate blood for sugar. This is how diabetes mellitus can manifest itself. A sweet and sour taste in the mouth, especially in the morning, also accompanied by frequent heartburn, often occurs with problems with the pancreas, in particular with pancreatitis;
nerve damage, including infectious and viral - take a general blood test;
stress, depression - when a person’s life is unsweetened, stress hormones begin to actively work in his body, which lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. In this case, the taste appears briefly immediately after psycho-emotional shocks;
respiratory tract infections and some dental diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa - these bacteria are capable of secreting sweet substances;
smoking – or rather, a recent cessation of this habit.
What does blood smell like?
Natalya Reznik “Trinity option” No. 1 (170), January 13, 2015
Blood! Its smell excites and leads on the trail of a predator, and the victim trembles and puts it to flight, even if this blood belongs to an animal of a different species. In some cases, this smell allows one to determine the reproductive status of the female. It is natural to assume that in the blood of mammals of different species there is some common odorous component that is recognized by everyone. But, oddly enough, almost nothing is known about the volatile compounds in blood that determine its smell.
Matthias Laska, a professor at Linköping University (Sweden), became interested in this question. He began by sending his student Shiva Krishna Rachamadugu to the Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen (Germany) to determine the composition of volatile components of mammalian blood using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Shiva Krishna worked with pig blood, in which he discovered about 30 volatile compounds, and how odorous they were was already determined by people who unanimously decided that the characteristic, metallic-tasting smell of blood was from the aldehyde trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)- 2-decenal, and experts sensed it in surprisingly low concentrations: 0.078 ppt–0.330 ppt (parts per trillion).
Next, it was necessary to find out how trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal would be perceived by predatory mammals and whether they would react to it as to the smell of real blood. Researchers tested the behavior of four species: the red wolf Cuon alpinus
, the wild dog
Lycaon pictus
, the South American bush dog
Speothos venaticus
and the Siberian tiger
Panthera tigris altaica
. Groups of these animals, adult females and males, lived in the Kolmorden Wildlife Park in large enclosures, in which they tried to make the environment as close as possible to the natural one (grass, trees, rocks, pond).
In the experiment, we used spruce planks measuring 48×7×4.5 cm, on both sides of which 0.5 ml of horse blood, trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal - blood aldehyde, isopentyl acetate, having “banana” smell, or diethyl phthalate solvent, which has almost no odor. The scientists chose horse blood rather than pig blood because the normal diet of all four species included horse meat. The concentrations of the substances were selected so that a person could smell the odor without tension by sniffing a board brought to his nose. Five pieces of wood, impregnated with one of the odors, were placed in the enclosure, and then the animals were released from the interior. Students sat around the enclosures and carefully observed the reactions of predators for three hours in the morning and afternoon, from 8:00 to 16:00. The next time, planks with a different smell were placed in the enclosure. Responses to each odor were tested five times. Observations were carried out on days when there was no rain, which washed away the odors, and in addition, the predators were not fed, because on feeding days they had no time for boards.
Observations have shown that all four species are interested in odorous pieces of wood: they sniff, lick, bite, touch with their paws, and play with them (Fig. 1); however, they do not make any sounds. Canines prefer to sniff, Siberian tigers prefer to play. It turned out that all predators are most interested in pieces of wood that smell of blood or its main component. The aroma of bananas or solvent attracts them much less. The three species of predators responded similarly to the odors of blood and trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal, and only wild dogs showed a preference for blood. But the smell of the main component of blood attracted them much more than the fruity one.
Rice. 1.
Animals tinker with odorous boards in different ways.
Top left
:
Lycaon pictus
sniffing a piece of wood;
top right
: two
Cuon alpinus
chewing on her;
lower left,
the bush dog
Speothos venaticus
, examining a specimen, curls its upper lip and “winces”;
bottom right,
the Siberian tiger
Panthera tigris altaica
plays with a board (in this case, carries it) [Nilssonetal., 2014]
Almost all the animals remained interested in the tablets, which smelled of blood or aldehyde, day after day, and only the bush dogs became fed up with them by the end of the experiment: the animals continued to sniff and bite them, but not as actively as in the first days. In general, the handling of planks by predators that smell of blood or its main component is reminiscent of fussing with bones left after feeding: having taken possession of such a piece of wood, they tried not to part with it, lay down to rest next to it, and guarded it (Fig. 2). They did not treat wood impregnated with solvent or fruity smell this way. Based on these observations, the researchers hypothesized that all four carnivore species, like humans, associate the odor of trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal with the odor of blood.
Rice. 2.
All predators lie down to rest next to a piece of wood soaked in the “main component of blood,” without letting it out of sight, or even out of their paws [Nilssonetal., 2014]
This is a non-trivial discovery. There are no other examples of the same reaction of animals to the smell of food and its only component. The smell of each product is formed by many volatile substances. It is known that a person secretes dominant compounds that determine the characteristic odor, but does not perceive it as identical to the natural product. Non-human apes do not make a connection between the smell of the key compound and the food: for example, they do not associate the aromas of acetic esters or monoterpene alcohols found in tropical fruits with the fruits themselves, but react to them as they would to other odorants not related to the fruits. And trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal affects the behavior of large predators in the same way as real blood.
In the future, the researchers plan to find out how potential mouse victims will react to this smell, for example. Typically, the key compound does not cause the same reactions in them as whole body odors, feces or urine of a predator. Let's see how they perceive blood aldehyde.
In addition, the discovery of Professor Lasky and his colleagues has a very important practical application: scientists propose using trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal to enrich the environment in which animals are kept. This is an urgent task because predators in captivity often develop stereotypical behavior or neophobia (fear of everything new). Environmental enrichment is designed to interest animals and encourage them to explore their environment, and strong-smelling objects are perfect for this. However, it is known from practice that success depends on the type of smell and the way it is presented. If the smell is chosen incorrectly or is constantly present, it not only does not help, but often reinforces stereotypical behavior. Tablets with the smell of trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal at first glance are ideal. Predators willingly explore them and play with them, just as they would not be able to tinker with a stationary odorous object (a rock, for example).
The boards are easy to remove, which allows you to control the duration of the smell and avoid getting used to the stimulus. And none of the species studied were completely tired of these odorous pieces of wood. So a drop of trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal on a piece of wood will significantly improve the life of predators in captivity.
1. Nilsson S., Sjöberg J., Amundin M., Hartmann C., Buettner A., et al. Behavioral responses to mammalian blood odor and a blood odor component in four species of large carnivores // PLoS ONE. 2014. 9(11).
Set my teeth on edge
Frequent heartburn and sour belching often accompany pregnancy: the growing uterus puts pressure on the diaphragm, intra-abdominal pressure increases. Those who eat a lot at night also often experience a sour taste in their mouth in the morning. But if these reasons have nothing to do with it, then it is better to deal with this symptom specifically. A persistent sour taste can occur:
Article on the topic
Diagnosis by a drop of blood. Siberian scientists identify potential diseases
for diseases of the digestive tract - often this is a sign of hyperacid gastritis, which is accompanied by increased stomach acidity, or gastroesophageal reflux, as well as gastric ulcer. If, in addition to a specific taste, a person is bothered by pain in the upper abdomen, nausea after eating, heartburn, sour belching, frequent diarrhea or constipation, weakness, it is worth visiting a gastroenterologist. And in order not to guess, you need to do a gastroscopy;
in case of problems with teeth - with caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, in addition to a sour taste in the mouth, there may be toothache, swelling and bleeding of the gums. Hurry to the dentist!
Treatment
Help before diagnosis
To reduce the bloody taste, you need to rinse your mouth with clean water, chamomile or sage decoctions after each meal. To reduce gum bleeding, doctors recommend choosing a toothbrush with natural soft bristles that does not injure the mucous membrane. To find out why the taste of blood in the mouth is constantly bothering you, you need to consult a specialist.
Conservative therapy
Medical tactics depend on the cause of the discomfort. If an aftertaste occurs in a healthy pregnant woman, it is enough to change the diet - eat more fruits, add mint and cinnamon to dishes, which neutralize the metallic taste. In other situations, treatment is aimed at eliminating the etiological factor, for which the following are prescribed:
- Antiseptics
. Regular rinsing of the mouth with solutions of chlorhexidine or miramistin helps remove soft plaque and cleanse the spaces of the teeth from pathogenic microorganisms. Medicinal toothpastes with calcium and herbal extracts are recommended. - Antisecretory agents
. For hyperacid conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, proton pump inhibitors and H2-histamine blockers are effective. The drugs reduce the production of hydrochloric acid, reduce reflux and promote the healing of erosions. - Antiviral drugs
. For influenza, it is recommended to take specific medications that block the formation of viral proteins and inhibit the reproduction of viral particles. The drugs are combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate other symptoms that accompany the taste of blood in the mouth.
Oh, how sad I am!
Constant bitterness in the mouth occurs in those who eat too much fatty and fried foods or abuse alcohol, as well as in those who take antibiotics and allergy medications for a long time. But, if a strong bitterness in the mouth constantly bothers you, you need to rush to a gastroenterologist and do an ultrasound of the abdominal organs (liver and gall bladder). Causes of a bitter taste in the mouth:
pathologies of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract - bitter bile enters the esophagus and mouth;
chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis - this may also cause pain under the right rib, nausea and vomiting.
“Express” diagnosis: what tests are done at Health Centers
Read more
Taste of Man
One of the most detailed accounts of the taste of human meat is contained in the book “The Ways of the Jungle,” written by American journalist William Seabrook. In the 1920s, he visited some of the world's strangest, most untouched places: crossing the Arabian desert with Bedouin horse thieves, observing voodoo witches in Haiti, and living with a tribe of cannibals in west Africa.
“A long-cherished, almost childhood intention has come true: I am visiting the cannibals. And they seemed to be in good standing, with their own hut in the village and permission to stay as long as I wanted,” Seabrook wrote about his trip to Africa. At lunch with the leader, he decided to take the bull by the horns and asked directly: did he eat the meat of white people? The leader looked at him and laughed, as if from a good joke. Then he replied that he tried it in his youth, but rarely. Almost 20 years have passed since then.
Seabrook did not lag behind, and then the leader sent a specialist - a pot-bellied guy with an impressive arsenal of culinary tools, which he carried around his neck in a bag made of monkey hair. The old cook knew everything about human flesh, but at first sight he disliked the American. Tom had to work hard to get his signature recipes out of him: spit roast, fufu porridge and smoked human meat. After talking, the cook advised us to take human fillet, ribs or rump and simmer longer on the fire. Otherwise, defeated enemies cannot be chewed - they are too sinewy.
The traveler really hoped that theory would be followed by practice. He was going to write a book, and every story needs a climax. The reader will not understand if in a story about cannibals no one gets eaten. The leader had a different opinion. When the dead warrior was brought to the village, dishes of human flesh were served only to his own people. In order not to offend the persistent guest, they slipped him a roast gorilla, but he noticed the deception.
William Seabrook
Photo:
Seabrook's disappointment knew no bounds. Something had to be done, otherwise all the work would be in vain. After returning from the Ivory Coast, he came up with a plan. The traveler stopped in Paris, where a surgeon he knew lived, and persuaded him to bring from the morgue the hip of a deceased person who had died in an accident. Then he fried it himself and ate it at dinner in the presence of unsuspecting guests, and inserted his impressions into travel notes about a tribe of cannibals.
“I sat down in front of the meat with a bottle of wine and a bowl of rice, salt and pepper in my hands. I’ve been thinking about this for so long, making plans for so long, and now the moment has come,” Seabrook describes the tasting. “I took a good sip of wine, put a portion of rice in my mouth and thoughtfully ate half a piece. And while I was eating, I understood more and more clearly what people taste like. They taste like good veal.”
That's the salt!
Article on the topic
Between chocolate and cucumber. What do taste preferences indicate? Most often, saliva becomes salty if a person neglects oral hygiene or simply experiences thirst, which, by the way, may not be felt. Hidden fluid deficiency often occurs due to taking medications, drinking alcohol, coffee, tea, cola, and also due to smoking. Therefore, if you experience such sensations, brush your teeth more thoroughly and drink at least 8 glasses of clean water a day. But if this doesn’t help, you need to figure it out. The causes of a salty taste may include:
infectious and fungal diseases of the nasopharynx - for example, sinusitis: mucus that accumulates in the sinuses can drain into the mouth and cause a salty taste. In this case, consultation with an ENT specialist is necessary;
diseases of the salivary glands , which develop due to the entry of streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci into the salivary ducts. Go to the dentist!
Continued: Bad taste in the mouth, causes →
Taste of blood in the mouth in the morning
If unpleasant sensations appear only in the morning, after waking up, you can suspect the presence of chronic diseases:
- ENT organs - chronic runny nose, polyps in the nasopharynx, enlarged adenoids, sinusitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis. Inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx lead to the fact that the mucous membrane becomes thin and ulcers appear on it. During sleep, mucus accumulates in the nasopharynx. In the morning, when you blow your nose or cough to cleanse the passages, the mucous membrane is injured and bleeds.
- With nasal congestion and bronchial asthma, breathing through the nose is impaired. The mucous membrane dries out, the taste buds give out erroneous information.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The cause of morning unpleasant taste sensations is gastritis and stomach ulcers, varicose veins of the esophagus, pancreatitis, cholecystitis.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system - angina pectoris, heart attacks, and other pathologies cause fragility of the small vessels of the respiratory system. Such bleeding is additionally accompanied by pain in the heart, heaviness, shortness of breath and cough in the morning.
