Shock-sticks that tickle the tastebuds cut salt intake

CUTLERY that delivers an electric shock to food in your mouth to change its taste could cut down salt intake.

Scientists have developed chopsticks that can make food taste salty, sour or bitter without the need for extra seasoning. They are also working on a spoon and fork for making food spicier or sweeter.

“Digital seasoning” technology could eventually allow diners to tinker with the taste of their food as they eat, to suit their palates.

It could help food manufacturers and restaurants reduce the amount of salt they put into food without compromising the taste.

The utensils work by delivering pulses of electricity to the tip of the tongue to stimulate the tastebuds.

Dr Nimesha Ranasinghe, an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Maine who led the work on the electric cutlery, said: “This technology is aimed at overlaying a virtual taste sensation. Depending on the food or beverage, it will augment the flavour.

“For example, when we eat mashed potato, by applying an additional layer of electric salt the overall flavour is enhanced.”

Some Chinese takeaway food and ready meals were recently found to contain up to 11 times more salt than a bag of crisps – more than half an adult’s daily recommended intake. Excess salt is known to cause serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

The technology works by sending a weak current through chopsticks or cutlery to the tip of the tongue. By controlling the frequency, amplitude and strength of the current, the cutlery can stimulate sourness, saltiness and bitterness.

Dr Ranasinghe, whose work is published in the journal Food Research International, initially developed a fork that could replicate saltiness but has since developed a spoon and chopsticks that can trigger all three tastes.