Yucatan inhabitants

Davis (1978) describes a group of Yucatan inhabitants who use coffee extensively and who are relatively insensitive to PTC. He argues that insensitivity to bitter substances may confer a survival advantage in that roasted coffee contains therapeutic levels of niacin, which is generally deficient in corn- or maize-based diets. Cultures with maize as the dominant dietary staple often evidence pellagra, since corn has a low tryptophan content. Interestingly, as reviewed by Katz (1982), some cultures have developed food preparation practices which help to overcome this problem. 

Davis, R. G., 1978, Increased bitter taste detection thresholds in Yucatan inhabitants related to coffee as a dietary source of niacin, Chem. Senses Flav., 3 423. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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