People who taste bitter foods may have COVID immunity, research shows

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Do you really like Brussels sprouts? Or maybe you can’t stand the taste of broccoli.

Either way, your keen taste buds may be good for your health, at least when it comes to COVID-19. Research published today in Journal of the American Medical Association shows people who can taste bitter things may have some immunity to COVID-19.

The research was conducted by Dr. Henry P. Barnham and associates. Barnham comes from the Department of Rhinology and Skull Base Research Group, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The other researchers include Dr. Mohamed A. Taha of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, and Stephanie T. Broyles of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Taste tests unlock mystery

The scientists discovered that a certain genetic marker seemed to convey protection against COVID-19. “Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) have been implicated in sino-nasal innate immunity, and genetic variation conferred by allelic variants in T2R genes is associated with variation in upper respiratory tract pathogen susceptibility, symptoms, and outcomes,” the researchers state in their study abstract under “importance.”

They conclude, “Bitter taste receptor phenotype appears to be associated with the clinical course and symptom duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The study looked at 1,935 adults. Of those, 266 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and “Those who experienced low intensity of bitter tastes or no bitter tastes (non-tasters) were significantly more likely to test positive for (COVID-19), to be hospitalized, and to be symptomatic for a longer duration,” according to the research. “Conversely, those who experienced greater intensity of bitter tastes (supertasters) represented 5.6% of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, suggesting enhanced innate immune protection.”

It’s just one more piece of the puzzle as researchers attempt to unravel COVID-19 and its intricacies.

“The ability to identify individuals whose health is most at risk by SARS-CoV-2 may allow society to balance social reengagement more efficiently with protection of public health,” the researchers explained. “School attendance, mass gatherings, travel, and other such public activities may be able to more fully resume while we await the development of novel therapeutics.”

The researchers said the innate immune system likely is behind those not contracting the virus. By figuring out which genes may confer protection, health care workers get a better handle on managing the pandemic.

“A growing body of literature has suggested a role for bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in sino-nasal innate immunity; these extraoral T2Rs are present on ciliated epithelial cells and solitary chemosensory cells,” the scientists note in explaining the mechanism of action. “When T2R38 is stimulated by agonists, nitric oxide (NO) is produced to increase mucociliary clearance and kill pathogens in the human respiratory tract mucosa.”

Taste tests for everyone?

The researchers explain that considering their findings, “inexpensive taste tests” could have broad implications.

“Prior studies have shown evidence for an association between the PTC or PROP taste test and sino-nasal innate immunity, concluding that the ability to assess airway taste receptor variation with an inexpensive taste test has broad implications because differences in airway taste receptor function may reflect impaired innate immunity and a predisposition to certain respiratory tract infections and inflammatory disorders, and T2R38 functionality in the tongue correlates with nasal symptoms in healthy individuals.”

The researchers concluded by affirming the significance of their findings. “This finding carries potential global implications for our understanding of (COVID-19), in addition to yearly infections with additional viruses, including influenza.”

They called for more research on the topic. “The novelty of SARS-CoV-2 has created the current global pandemic and greatly disrupted life throughout the world. Bitter taste receptors appear to play a crucial role in the innate immunity against upper respiratory tract pathogens, and the allelic variants of these receptors define the magnitude of such innate immunity.

“In this study, phenotypic expression of T2R38 with taste strip testing was associated with the clinical course and symptoms. Further study evaluating the potential for phenotypic expression of T2R38 as a factor associated with disease on a larger scale is warranted.”

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