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"Taste cells are present in the taste buds on the tongue. A taste bud is like an onion-shaped structure consisting of between 15 to 100 taste cells," Dr. Chia illustrated. Researchers at the NIA found the hormones contained with the taste cells on the tongue in mice to be glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). These are the hormones that help the body regulate sugar. Glucagon increases glucose levels, GLP-1 regulates insulin secretion and lowers blood sugar. Researchers found taste bud size decreased as the mice aged.

Writer: Chee Chia, MD

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Date: Dec 10 2014 3:30 PM