When a fruit fly’s ability to taste its food or water is suppressed, its lifespan significantly increases or decreases – regardless of how much food it eats.
University of Michigan researchers found bitter tastes had negative impacts on lifespans of Drosophila melanogaster while sweet tastes had positive effects – but the suppression of the ability to taste water had the most significant impact with those flies living up to 43% longer.
The findings suggest physiological changes occur to help the body adapt to the perception it is not receiving adequate nutrients, such as storing more fat in the absence of water.
Read more at University of Michigan