Why does liquor taste so bad

A study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that genetics, specifically a variation of a particular gene , actually play a role in whether or not you find the taste of beer bitter. What's more, another study published in the journal Chemosensory Perception found that an aversion to bitter tasting food and drink was, evolutionarily, a defense mechanism against poisoning.

On the flip side, a third study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that for beer lovers , the beverage releases the feel-good chemical striatal dopamine in the brain, especially for subjects who have a history of alcoholism in their families. All three studies make a case for genetic factors playing a role in determining not only whether or not you'll like the taste of beer, but also the likelihood of whether or not you'll have an alcohol dependence.

So, why do some people find beer bitter while other people don't? Published: Sep 26, In the first study to show that the sensations from sampled alcohol vary as a function of genetics, researchers focused on three chemosensory genes -- two bitter-taste receptor genes known as TAS2R13 and TAS2R38 and a burn receptor gene, TRPV1. The research was also the first to consider whether variation in the burn receptor gene might influence alcohol sensations, which has not previously been linked to alcohol consumption.

He noted that prior studies have shown that some people experience more bitterness and less sweetness from an alcoholic beverage, such as beer. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Cybersecurity Mobile Policy Privacy Scooters.

Phones Laptops Headphones Cameras. Tablets Smartwatches Speakers Drones. Accessories Buying Guides How-tos Deals. Health Energy Environment. He pointed to a study that found people with two sensitive forms of the TAS2R38 gene reported drinking about drinks a year, versus drinks per year for those whose two copies differed from each other, and nearly drinks per year for those with two copies of the less-sensitive version. The researchers also found that one variant of the TAS2R13 gene and three variants of the TRPV1 gene were associated with how intense the alcohol tasted to the study participants.

Hayes said he and his colleagues would like to conduct a prospective study that follows college freshman over time to see if the bitterness taste genes influence their risk of becoming future problem drinkers.

But it's important to remember, he added, that a host of cultural and environmental factors contribute to a person's drinking behavior.