For example, a recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Monell Center showed that supertasters were better able to fend off bacterial sinus infections because of a particular bitter-taste receptor in their nose.

WSJ: People Who Taste Too Much

Dr Munger, though, found that both GLP-1 and the receptor molecule that picks it up and thus allows it to act are found in taste buds too.

ECONOMIST: Hormones influence how sensitive taste buds are to sugar