It’s too HOT. It’s too COLD, well actually it’s neither

This dilemma experienced by little red riding hood is something that can confuse a lot of people but in a different scenario.  

I’m sure those of you reading this are familiar with and sober enough to know with that we eat food through our mouths (I’ve witnessed intoxicated people often attempt to feed themselves through their cheeks).  Our taste buds have receptors that can detect certain chemicals mainly food, and relays this information to the brain. There are receptors that detect carboxylic acids which are found in products such as vinegar which have a sour taste to it, and alcohol (OH) and carbonyl (CO) groups which are characteristic for sweet and sugary foods. Although taste is mainly determined through the tongue, other senses such as smell and temperature contribute to the taste sensation. 

Thermoreceptors in the tongue work with the taste receptors and tell us if the food we are eating it hot or cold. Whilst this is an intelligent tool which contributes to the dining experience, it can also get confused. The thought occurred to me whilst eating at Nando’s, which is most days, why does my mouth and body feel the effects of heat even though the peri-peri sauce is not thermally hot? 

I’m sure some of you have also questioned this sensation (perhaps with other spicy foods) and also thought about why your mouth feels cold after eating a mint.

The Science bit

Capsaicin is the chemical name of the ‘hot’ component found in chilli’s. It binds to the thermo receptors found on the tongue. These receptors are called TRPV1 and are also present in pain sensing neurons. TRVP1 is a Calcium and Sodium ion channel which is activated by heat. Normally, the channel will open when the temperature is in between 37°C and 45°C which is above the normal body temperature of 37°C. The opening of this channel brings about an influx of the ions leading to action potential (electrical signal) which tells the brain that your mouth is hot. When capsaicin binds to TRVP1, e.g. after eating a chilli, it lowers the temperature at which the channel normally opens. This triggers the chemical and electrical cascade which then makes you think the food is thermally hot. Common actions used to cool down includes shouting out in pain, fanning your mouth with your hand and drinking more milk than a 1 year old baby ever has.

Similarly, the coolness experienced from eating softmints and chewing gum comes from menthol which is an organic compound found in the flowering plant mint. Menthol interacts with TRPM8 receptor which is also found, in the skin, lungs and prostate. *NOTE *attempting to inhale or insert menthol or menthol containing products  into the lungs or prostate gland is not advised *.The TRPM8 receptor is activated at temperatures dropping below 26°C or when it interacts with cooling agents. Activation of the receptor causes the influx of Sodium and Calcium ions. The sudden imbalance of ions causes an electrical signal which makes us think it's cold. Since menthol is a cooling agent, it activates these receptors and makes us feel cold when we use toothpaste, eat mints or accidentally spill methanol on our skin during labs. 

The experiment

Some of you may be thinking as I did ‘Would eating a mint and chilli at the same time cancel each other out’? Well I was curious to find this out. Unfortunately, textbooks and the internet yielded no answers meaning one thing... I had to find out, THE HARD WAY. I decided to use the strongest ingredients I had at my disposal, Nandos extra extra hot sauce and Trebors mints. I pored over the internet and text books once more to make sure my tongue would not get damaged in this pointless experiment. I finally came across the question “what happens when you have both peppers and mint in your mouth at the same time?” 

To my dismay, the only answer was “You Die”.

The death warning was ignored and I proceded with the experiment (I had a bucket, a glass of water and 999 on speed dial just in case). The mint was put into my mouth followed by a spoonful of Nandos sauce before closing my mouth and chewing.  

Another question posed to me was, "what happens if you eat a ‘cold’ chilli or a ‘hot’ mint?"

Whilst I knew the answer to the first, again I was curious about the 'hot' mint. I decided to heat up a mint in the microwave for 8 seconds and eat it. The resulting sensation for both experiments is difficult to explain and it has to be tried by those of you who are brave enough.

Whilst the above experiments were not necessary or entirely conclusive, it did bring the idea of how the taste of one chemical can be altered by another. If our sense of hot and cold can be tricked through chemicals which aren’t actually hot or cold, can we trick our brain into tasting chocolate while eating brussel sprouts? Sorry to disappoint but the answer to that is NO and anything that looks like brussel sprouts should not be deemed fit to eat. However, there is a chemical that is able to alter the taste of foods and drinks.

I believe in Miracles

Miracle fruit

Synsepalum dulcificum (I can barely pronounce this myself) is a plant found in West Africa and produces a berry known as the miracle fruit. This fruit contains an active ingredient, miraculin, which is able to sweeten the taste of foods including lemons and lime. When the flesh of the fruit is held in your mouth or rubbed against the tongue, it is thought that miraculin binds to and alters the sweet receptors on your tongue so they can interact with sour food as well. 

  

This effect can last up to an hour and will make raw lemons taste like lemonade. Other tastes noted whilst under the influence of the berry are:-

·         Lemon sorbet and Guinness tastes like chocolate sauce.

·         Vinegar tastes like apple juice.

·         Tabasco sauce tastes like ‘hot’ doughnut glaze.

 Whilst the benefits of this fruit seem only for entertainment purposes, it can be beneficial in some ways.

Uses

The fruit itself is not sweet but induces the sweet taste when eating sour foods. So it acts as a sweetener which would be hugely beneficial for diabetics and fatties due to its low sugar and calorie content. Diabetics can still enjoy sweet tasting meals without a worry of consuming too much sugar. With the increasing problem of obesity, miracle berry can be used in fulfilling the sweet tooth without eating sugary foods. The berry itself is quite expensive and has a short shelf life but, the frozen form has the same properties and a longer shelf life.  Although its properties make it a suitable additive, it has not been given the go ahead by whoever decides these things in the western world.

Whilst the berry gives people an excuse to put something in their mouth, its taste altering properties can be adapted to help in advancements in dietary medicine. Also, understanding how miraculin works can tell us more about the interaction between food and the taste buds, how the sensation of different flavours is interpreted by our brain and ultimately, the differences in taste between different people and cultures. 

So when life gives you lemons... just make sure you have this handy fruit to sweeten it up.

Rogue Agent Nor, Threat To Millions

Season’s greetings!! The preparation for this winter holiday can be an exciting and somewhat stressful time. Thinking of suitable presents to buy for your family, friends and random distant relatives that stay over can be quite demanding. It is also a time when many of us will be travelling to be with friends and loved ones. With flights and trains practically fully booked and major roads busy, this proves to be a difficult feat for some. The prospect of spending time with those that are important and sharing gifts and cards seem to spur people on to make the journey. However, there is one gift that most people would not appreciate or expect to receive this Christmas. Diarrhoea.

The antagonist behind those precious hours wasted on the toilet seat is... Infectious Agent Nor more commonly known as Norovirus. I’m sure most of you will think that being infected is statistically low (which it is) and label this impending catastrophe as ridiculous. However, it is urged that you think twice before shaking hands with people, eating without washing your hands or engage in a mass brawl over the last jar of cranberry sauce in Tesco’s.

How it works

Norovirus in action.

The virus gains entry into the body and replicates in the cells located in the small intestine.   Infection leads to the dysfunction of the epithelial barrier, the layer of cells that separate the inside of the small intestine from the surrounding network of blood vessels, lymphatic system and surrounding fluid. The disruption of the barrier releases lymphocytes, otherwise known as white blood cells, into the intestine which can be toxic to the cells. Furthermore, the increase in epithelial cell apoptosis (Cell death) from the action of lymphocytes and the increase in positive ion secretion cause an imbalance in ion concentration. These changes in the stomach and small intestine cause inflammation which is medically known as gastroenteritis. The stomach is left feeling a bubbling sensation no amount of Imodium Plus can fix. This feeling is then proceeded by the sudden realization of what is about to come out along with the anticipation of being in discomfort and pain.

What is it?

Norovirus is a positive-sense RNA virus responsible for causing gastroenteritis. This Christmas villain is not seasonal like the flu however, its activity and power is greatly increased during the winter period due to the millions of people travelling in and out the country. The main symptoms exhibited by an infected individual are stomach cramps, sudden sever vomiting (often projectile) and diarrhoea. The virus has two main super powers: high infection rate and ability to multiply and spread itself. There are many ways the virus can be caught and only a small amount is needed to cause infection:-

• Direct contact with vomit or diarrhoea of an infected individual. Great care should be taken especially if you are assigned the task of cleaning up after your sister or if your friend ruins your favourite shoes.
• Not cleaning or washing your hands after using the toilet. Standard hygiene people! This point really shouldn’t have to be here.
• Coming into contact with surfaces where the virus could be found (i.e. toilet seats, furniture, hand rails on the buses or trains particularly in oxford circus tube station).
• Vegetables and seafood. Some seafood may be contaminated from sewage polluted sea. Make sure food is washed and cooked thoroughly.
• By breathing in the airborne virus.

Upon catching Norovirus, the victim will not exhibit the symptoms for 12 hours to 3 days later. This incubation period increases the chances of Christmas dinner being ruined as a result of becoming infected during the last minute shopping trip a few days before Christmas. Even after the symptoms are gone, the relentless virus continues to battle the immune system. This leaves the subject still contagious for two days and in some cases up to two weeks after the symptoms have disappeared. Even though the virus is seemingly unstoppable (which it is), there are measures that can be taken to reduce the chance of infection.

Prevention

Although there is no kryptonite available for the Superman of viruses, there are simple measures that can be taken to avoid decorating your family, Christmas tree and turkey with chunder. Those who are freakishly hygienic and are constantly armed with anti-bacterial or alcohol hand gels will be mortified by the news that they are a lot less effective against Norovirus. One of Norovirus’s special abilities is that it does not form a lipid envelope. The presence of a lipid envelope protects the infectious agent and enables it to survive outside the body. Sanitizing hand gels and wipes are effective at removing this ‘shield’ thus killing or inactivating the bacteria or virus. Since Norovirus doesn’t need such protection to survive, it is fairly resistant to detergents and alcohols which are found in every hand gel and soap products. So whilst using this product is recommended, there is no point in using it every five minutes as it will only leave your hand with a pleasant scent.

Washing hands is an effective method to prevent infection. This action should be conducted with soap after coming into contact with an infected individual or after being in a crowded place where surfaces may have the virus. Hands should also be washed before eating and certainly before carving the Christmas turkey. Most shoppers should think twice before the cheeky visit to McDonald’s after touching and trying on countless jumpers, shirts and dresses in Topshop/Topman.

The most effective way to remain infection free is complete isolation. Doors and windows should be locked and visitors should be told to f**k off. Christmas food should be bought before the winter season and presents given after March. Warning! Those of you not organised enough for operation isolation will have an increased chance of illness or possible death due to lack of supplies! The above method is not actually viable and probably will result in the loss of your job, depression and death, not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately for those of you who have acquired the virus, isolation is the best way to prevent the disease from spreading to other people. There is no use in going to your GP or hospital as there is no treatment and the symptoms usually reside after a few days. It is recommended that infected individuals should regularly wash their hands and drink lots of water (NOT alcohol) and rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration.

Conclusion

Whilst the amount of people infected in England is quite low, about a million people in a year. Prevention is better than cure, except in this case there is no cure, only pain, so preventions is the only way. Those of you that have avoided or defeated this villain, congratulations! May your Christmas and New Year be filled with joy, happiness and in most cases drunken anticss. But be warned, immunity against Agent Nor is only temporary and the virus will inevitably return with a vengeance in a year’s time.

Merry Christmas.