The Bitterness of Coffee Removed

Image Credit: Raeky 

Smoking does have benefits at least when it comes to drinking coffee. Some smokers are unable to identify the bitter taste of coffee.The chemicals found in tobacco can affect the taste buds of smokers and their ability to differentiate between bitter and sweet. This article explores the side effects of tobacco and its impact on the taste buds of smokers. 

The researchers, led by Nelly Jacob of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital APHP in France, published results of their study in the journal Chemosensory Perception. They note that tobacco's chemicals are already known to cause a loss of taste in smokers, as well as structural changes to the fungiform papillae of the tongue - where taste buds are found. What has been unknown is to what extent smokers' taste range is affected, whether it returns to normal upon quitting smoking and if so, how long that takes. Taste buds are largely responsible for conveying sweet, sour, bitter, salty and metallic sensations.

— Smokers' Taste Buds Do Not Allow Them to Taste Bitterness of Coffee