Our tongue may have the ability to detect odours

Researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, have found that besides detecting tastes and flavours, our tongue also has the ability to detect odours. They claim that the 'taste cells' also have odour-detecting proteins but this does not undermine the power of the nose to pick aromas. Researchers suggest this could help encourage healthier eating. For example, a sweet odour could be added to food to make it seem like its sweet, reducing the need for sugar. The study concluded that human taste cells respond to fragrances.