Drinking water is a vital gesture, of course, but which does not bring real pleasure except after an intensive sports session or a night spent drinking cocktails (and in these specific cases, it is like a rebirth). The liquid has no flavor, at least that's what we thought until now. Researchers at Caltech University in Los Angeles have made an astonishing discovery:the water does indeed have a taste, which would a priori be acidic. Professor Yuki Oka, the head of the study, observed the tongues of mice to determine which flavor sensor(s) activated on contact with water, and it turned out that this are those that are acid bound. The team of scientists went even further:they stated that water should be considered the 6th basic flavor along with sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami (the "tasty") ).
Dhruv Zocchi, a student who also participated in the research explains:"Perhaps our cells that detect acidity are not only linked to the unpleasant acidity that we usually perceive but they potentially generate a type of flavor, like water, when stimulated ". The researchers point out that many species of insects sense the taste of water, which leads them to conclude that mammals also have a water-sensitive mechanism in the taste detection system. Well, as long as this doesn't make the water taste like squeezed lemon juice (which is also excellent for your health!), everything is fine...
