Taste buds are small sensory organs on your tongue that help us detect the flavors of the foods we eat. What’s fascinating about taste buds is that, unlike other cells in the body that regenerate every decade or so, taste buds renew themselves every 10 days.

This unique trait can be helpful when trying to cut down on ultra-processed foods. Here’s how:

If you decide to stop eating ultra-processed foods, commit to doing so for at least 10 days. After this time, your taste buds, which had grown accustomed to artificial flavors, will regenerate, and the new ones won’t have the same cravings. By continuing to avoid these foods, your taste buds will eventually forget the desire for them.

The next time you have something like fries after a long break, you might find them much saltier than you remember! This shows how training your taste buds can help you embrace cleaner eating and appreciate homemade meals more.

What else can help improve our sense of taste?

• Maintain good dental hygiene
• Opt for whole spices instead of flavoring powders
• Choose colorful foods to engage multiple senses
• Cut down on salt intake
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking
• Incorporate more sour foods to stimulate your taste
• Increase protein intake to support healthy cell regeneration
• Stay away from extremely hot, cold, or frozen foods that could harm your taste buds