Our taste preferences may reveal signals of our physical health. For instance, a preference for sour foods may indicate a weak liver. Sour flavors correspond to the wood element, closely related to the liver. A moderate amount of sourness can nourish the liver, but excessive intake may lead to liver qi stagnation, affecting spleen and stomach functions, manifesting as indigestion, loose stools, and weak voice. In such cases, reducing sour foods intake is beneficial for those with spleen deficiency.
If one tends towards bitterness, it may reflect a weakened heart. Bitterness can tonify the heart, but excessive consumption may harm the lungs, affecting skin and hair health. Persistent coughing, phlegm, might signify lung qi deficiency, so limiting bitter foods is recommended. On the other hand, a preference for sweetness may indicate spleen weakness. While sweetness can tonify the spleen, excess consumption can injure the kidneys, leading to dull and hair loss. For those experiencing sore lower back and knees, tinnitus, reducing sweet intake is wise, as it may indicate kidney essence deficiency.
Spicy foods are beneficial for the skin, but excess consumption may harm the liver, affecting tendons, bones, and blood circulation, causing symptoms like dizziness and vertigo. Salty flavors correspond to the kidneys, serving as moderate tonification, but overeating may impact heart function, resulting in a dull complexion. Therefore, individuals with symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath should reduce salt intake.
Aside from taste preferences, physical issues may also present as headaches, dark circles, dry skin, mouth ulcers, sleep disturbances, etc. The “Huang Di Nei Jing” points out that different organ issues lead to preferences for specific food tastes, e.g., those with liver problems prefer sweet foods, those with heart deficiencies might favor sour flavors, lung issues relate to bitter tastes, while kidney problems may incline towards spicy flavors, reflecting the body’s natural need for specific nutrients or imbalances.
Concerning the relationship between taste and obesity, overconsumption of sweet and salty foods can both contribute to weight gain, either by providing excessive energy or stimulating appetite. While sour foods may not be directly linked to weight gain, they could indirectly increase food intake, especially when there are heart-related problems, leading to a preference for sour tastes.
In conclusion, we should pay attention to our taste changes as they might reflect our internal health conditions. By appropriately adjusting our dietary habits, we can help maintain our overall health.
