According to a study conducted by the Deakin University, a sixth taste to detect fat could hold the key in reducing obesity.  The study found that people with a high sensitivity to the taste of fat tended to eat less fatty foods and were less likely to be overweight.

The study found out that aside from the 5 tastes that the human tongue can detect, there is a sixth taste that detects fat.  The research team screened people to determine their taste threshold for fat and the study showed that different people have different levels of sensitivity to the taste of fat.  Also, people who have higher sensitivity to the taste of fat makes them consume less fatty foods and causing them to gain less weight compared to people who eat more fatty foods.

The research team is now interested in understanding why some people are sensitive to fat while others are not.  They believe that this could play a big role in helping people lower their fat intake and aide the development of new low-fat foods and diets.