鲜味会引导舌头分泌唾液,刺激喉咙、口腔的上方和后方[18][19]。鲜味会使多种食物令人垂涎,在配合香味方面尤甚[20]。但有别与其他基本味道,鲜味不含蔗糖,只在相当狭窄的浓度范围内带来愉悦效果[18]。最适宜的鲜味味道视乎盐的份量而定;同时,低盐食物能以适量鲜味保持令人满意的味道[21]。事实上,Roinien et al.显示,当汤水含有鲜味时,低盐汤水的愉悦感、味道浓度和理想咸度较高,而不含鲜味的汤水的愉悦感较低[22]。在某些人群组别中,如老年人,可以从鲜味中得益,因为其味觉和嗅觉灵敏度已因年龄和多种药物而受损。丧失味觉和嗅觉有可能形成营养不良的状态,从而增加患病的风险[23]。
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