Today, I learned that:

If you like salt in your food but know that you have to take very much care in order to not overdose the salt contents, since too much sodium will raise your blood pressure, could there be a different way of feeling the same food sensation without putting your life in danger?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Rekimoto Lab have come up with an interesting alternative, sort of best of both worlds. They have built a prototype of an electric fork, which uses electrical stimulation to simulate the taste of salty or sour ingredients.

The battery-powered fork features a conductive handle that completes a circuit when the tines make contact with a diner’s tongue, electrically stimulating their taste buds. It has has adjustable levels of stimulation, to adapt to individual tastes. However, before thinking about making it available to the public, they have to overcome a problem, because if pushed too far, the fork can produce an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth.

Bon (and healthy) appétit !

… That’s what I learned in school !

Refs.:

1: This Electric Fork Simulates a Salty Flavour By Shocking Your Tongue

+: What did you learn in school today ?