Discover Why Human Skin Can Taste: The Surprising Science Behind This Fascinating Sensation!

Have you ever tasted something so bitter that you had to spit it out? That reaction helps stop us from eating harmful things, and it turns out our bodies have a similar defense mechanism on a cellular level. Bitter taste receptors, known as TAS2Rs, are not just on our tongues—they’re also found in our skin.

A recent study from Okayama University of Science explored these receptors in skin cells. Researchers discovered that these TAS2Rs help detect and get rid of potentially harmful substances. Originally thought to be limited to the mouth, TAS2Rs are actually throughout our bodies, present in areas like the colon, stomach, and upper airways.

In the lab, scientists treated human skin cells with phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), a substance commonly used in taste studies. When the bitter compound bound to the receptors, they activated certain proteins, known as ABC transporters. These transporters help move the bitter substances out of the cells, acting like a safety net against toxins.

To test the effectiveness of this process, researchers added a visible dye to the cells, which could be quickly removed through the ABC transporter. When they inhibited the transporter with a drug called verapamil, the dye accumulated inside the cells, indicating that the exit door was blocked.

The findings suggest that TAS2Rs play a crucial role in protecting cells from toxic compounds. This aligns with theories about why we perceive bitterness in the first place. While some older studies debated whether bitterness helps us identify harmful substances, this research shows that, at least for skin cells, the receptors indeed help in dealing with toxins.

When cells were exposed to toxic levels of antihistamine, those with activated bitter receptors survived much better. The study concluded that activating these receptors enhances the production of protective transporters, allowing the skin cells to excrete harmful materials more effectively.

The researchers noted, “Activation of TAS2Rs by bitter compounds enhances ABCB1 production, helping prevent cell death caused by toxins.” They also hinted that safe activators of these receptors could lead to new treatments for boosting toxin removal in our skin.

This exciting research was published in FASEB BioAdvances. So, next time you reach for a cup of coffee scrub, remember that those bitter compounds might be more helpful than you think!