HEALTH RESEARCH ARTICLE - Wow!!! Prototype Electric Fork Makes Food Taste Salty

Japanese scientists say they have developed a fork that uses an electrical current to stimulate the taste of salt on the tongue.

The guilt-free way of enjoying salty flavours without the health drawbacks of excessive sodium is a prototype which cost just £12 to make.

The electric currents are controlled by a button on the side, and can also be used to create sour tastes.

The device was pioneered at the Rekimoto Lab, at the University of Tokyo.

It could be particularly useful to those who have to reduce or eliminate salt from their diet for medical reasons - such as those suffering from hypertension.

Adding too much salt to meals has been linked to health problems ranging from strokes to heart disease.

The prototype can run for six hours before needing to be recharged, but is currently not waterproof.

Levels of saltiness can be set and adjusted based on the diner's age and typical dietary habits.

One researcher said the salt-free food he tried tasted salty with the aid of the fork, but when he turned the current up too high it tasted metallic.

Lead researcher Nimesha Ranasinghe told the New Scientist magazine: "We have found noninvasive electrical and thermal stimulation of the tip of the tongue successfully generates the primary taste sensations.

"People with diabetes might be able to use the taste synthesiser to simulate sweet sensations without harming their actual blood sugar levels.

"Cancer patients could use it to improve or regenerate a diminished sense of taste during chemotherapy."

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