Give me some calcium!

The National Meeting of the American Chemical Society speculates that we have a sixth sense - calcium. Our tongue has specific receptors for salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and savory, also called unami. Researchers believe that calcium is sensed by the taste buds that pick up unami and sweet.

In the laboratory, animals with an increased need for calcium actually crave the mineral more. Who might need more calcium? Growing children, pregnant or lactating women, anyone at risk for osteoporosis or osteopenia, and anyone with limited intake of dairy all may have a keen sense of taste towards foods with calcium.

Naturally, humans do not like the taste of calcium-rich food because they taste bitter. Protein and fats bind to calcium in milk, making it taste better. But dark leafy greens, broccoli, and spinach lack protein and fat, giving these foods a bitter taste. Application of this knew knowledge will be used to block the calcium receptors to try to make these foods more palatable.