Inflammation driven by obesity may reduce the number of taste buds on the tongue by 25 per cent while affecting a person's sensitivity to the taste of food researchers have found. Obesity is known to be associated with a chronic state of low-grade inflammation in the adipose tissue that stores energy in the form of fat. The adipose tissue further produces pro-inflammatory cytokines -- molecules that serve as signals between cells -- including one called TNF-alpha. Researchers noted that a high-fat diet increases the level of TNF-alpha surrounding the taste buds making them less sensitive to the taste of food.
