Chemosensory Properties of Pungent Spices: Their Role in Altering Nutrient Intake

Abstract

The general population is not compliant with national dietary recommendations for promoting health and reducing chronic disease risk. While rising obesity rates suggest that the majority of the population is overconsuming, many individuals affected with either acute or chronic diseases struggle to maintain adequate dietary intake and are at high nutritional risk. Flavor is the primary driver of food intake; however, disliked flavors are a major barrier to consumer adherence with dietary recommendations for both groups. Spices that contribute to chemical burn—such as black pepper, garlic, ginger, mustard, oregano, red pepper, and wasabi—alter food flavors. This paper explores the role of these pungent spices in altering nutrient intake across the lifespan. The role of chemical burn in manipulating dietary intake in both diseased and healthy populations is discussed. Implications for using pungent spices to enhance compliance with dietary manipulations are described. Proposed functions of pungent spices are maintaining, preserving, and enhancing flavor to offset the reductions in liking and palatability that are associated with dietary modifications and disease status.