WeWow on the Weekend (3/29/25)

Summary

WeWow on the Weekend: Exploring the Science of Saliva and Bitter Tastes

Wow in the World brings you a special episode titled "WeWow on the Weekend", released on March 29, 2025. This episode seamlessly blends humor, science, and interactive segments, engaging both kids and their grown-ups. Hosted by Dennis and his co-host, Reggie the Giant Pigeon, the show takes an entertaining dive into the fascinating world of saliva and its impact on our perception of bitter tastes.

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1. Event Announcement and Show Kick-Off

The episode begins with Mindy Thomas announcing an exciting live event happening in Bethesda, Maryland. She shares:

[00:00] Mindy: "My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area... We'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th."

This announcement sets a vibrant tone, inviting listeners to participate in a live Bonkerballs competition where kids showcase their inventive ideas.

Following the announcement, Dennis and Reggie introduce the episode with their signature blend of humor and camaraderie:

[01:07] Dennis: "We wow on the weekend cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing, me and Reggie singing, laughing."

Despite the playful banter, Dennis emphasizes the show's professionalism before transitioning into their first segment.

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2. The "Reviewsy" Segment

Dennis introduces the "Reviewsy" segment, where listener feedback is shared and discussed. This interactive part highlights the show's community engagement.

• First Review:

  [02:42] Dennis: "This reviewsie comes from username Lee Academy... 'Please tell Static man to make a Wee Wow podcast for Tuesday. Love your show. 100 out of 10 stars. Wow.'"

  Dennis humorously reacts to the short notice given to Static Man, pondering the feasibility of producing an episode by Tuesday.

• Second Review:

  [03:19] Dennis: "This reviewsy comes from username Podcast lover... 'This podcast is awesome and these are my favorite foods... I rate 20 out of 10.'"

  Highlighting a whimsical appreciation from a listener named Bryce, Dennis reflects on the playful nature of the feedback.

• Third Review:

  [05:44] Dennis: "This last reviewsie comes from username Doctor whose whatsits... 'Does this scab on my elbow look infected to you?'"

  Dennis humorously navigates a non-related medical query, showcasing the show's ability to handle diverse and unexpected feedback.

Throughout the "Reviewsy" segment, Dennis maintains a light-hearted atmosphere, encouraging listeners to continue sharing their thoughts.

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3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: A Dive into "Wow in the World"

Dennis transitions into another segment called "Inside Tinkercast Studios," where he revisits an episode of Wow in the World:

[06:40] Dennis: "Today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 2, Episode 39 called Spit the Science of Saliva and those Bitter Bites."

This segment sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the science behind saliva and its role in tasting bitter foods, featuring an engaging reenactment with Mindy and Guy Raz.

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4. The Science of Saliva and Bitter Tastes

a. The Spit Take Experience

Mindy and Guy Raz engage in a comedic skit set in an experimental restaurant called "Spit Take," designed to serve only bitter foods:

[10:07] Mindy: "It's a new experimental restaurant that specializes in all of your favorite foods... Artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale."

Guy Raz humorously grapples with the overwhelming bitterness of the offerings:

[14:14] Guy Raz: "I didn't always like the taste of leafy green vegetables... I'm the kale crusader."

Their interaction provides a whimsical yet informative backdrop to discuss the scientific study at the heart of the episode.

b. Dr. Cordelia's Groundbreaking Study

Mindy introduces the study conducted by Dr. Cordelia at Purdue University, focusing on how saliva influences our perception of bitter tastes:

[17:47] Mindy: "Dr. Cordelia... explored the link between our spit and our willingness to eat things like leafy green vegetables and dark chocolate and coffee."

The study involved 64 participants who consumed low-sugar chocolate milk daily for a week, rating its taste each time. Initially, most found the chocolate milk bitter due to its reduced sugar content.

[20:44] Guy Raz: "For most people, maybe, but not for... I love dark chocolate."

Over the week, participants reported a decreased perception of bitterness, leading to intriguing conclusions about the adaptability of our taste buds.

c. The Role of Proteins in Saliva

Dr. Cordelia's research revealed that sustained exposure to bitter flavors led to changes in saliva composition:

[23:06] Mindy: "Spit is also full of these teeny, tiny molecules called proteins... those proteins help us to taste the different food flavors."

As participants continued consuming the bitter chocolate milk, their saliva began producing more proteins that dampened the bitter taste, making the flavors more palatable over time.

[23:58] Guy Raz: "So their spit glands actually learned to make more of that protein that dampened or decreased the bitter flavor."

This biological adaptation suggests that our taste preferences can be altered through consistent exposure, potentially encouraging the consumption of healthier, albeit initially unappealing, foods.

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5. Personal Reflections and Implications

Guy Raz shares a personal anecdote about his journey from disliking to embracing bitter vegetables:

[25:03] Guy Raz: "I didn't always like the taste of leafy green vegetables... over time, I started to actually enjoy these foods. And now, well, I'm the kale crusader."

Mindy connects this personal story to Dr. Cordelia's findings, emphasizing the profound impact saliva has on our taste perception:

[25:20] Mindy: "Wow, Guy Raz, your spit actually changed to make you like the taste of those bitter leafy green vegetables."

This segment underscores the episode's central theme: our taste preferences are not solely determined by initial experiences but can evolve through biological changes facilitated by saliva.

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6. Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode draws to a close, Dennis and Reggie reflect on the discussions and the humorous experiences at the "Spit Take" restaurant:

[27:04] Dennis: "There was so much spit in that episode... But you know, it did get me thinking about Mindy's gingerbread mansion."

The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the show by leaving reviews and participating in future segments:

[27:38] Dennis: "Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in... I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend."

Mindy concludes with a reminder about the benefits of the Wow in the World podcast available on platforms like Wondery and Amazon Music, inviting listeners to share their stories and participate in the community.

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Key Takeaways

• Biological Adaptation: Consistent exposure to bitter tastes can alter saliva composition, reducing the perception of bitterness and making previously disliked foods more enjoyable.

• Taste Bud Flexibility: Our taste preferences are malleable and can be influenced by physiological changes in our saliva, highlighting the interplay between biology and diet.

• Community Engagement: The show effectively combines scientific exploration with interactive and humorous segments, fostering a sense of community among listeners.

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Notable Quotes

• Dennis on Professionalism:

  [01:07] "Wee Wow on the Weekend is a very professional show."

• Guy Raz on Taste Adaptation:

  [23:58] "So their spit glands actually learned to make more of that protein that dampened or decreased the bitter flavor."

• Mindy on Saliva's Role:

  [23:06] "Spit is also full of these teeny, tiny molecules called proteins... those proteins help us to taste the different food flavors."

• Guy Raz's Personal Journey:

  [25:03] "I didn't always like the taste of leafy green vegetables... I'm the kale crusader."

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This episode of Wow in the World masterfully blends education with entertainment, offering listeners insightful scientific revelations wrapped in humor and engaging storytelling. By exploring the science of saliva and its effect on taste, Dennis and Reggie provide a compelling narrative that inspires both curiosity and laughter, embodying the show's mission to make us all say "WOW"!

Transcript

[Mindy]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I've got a question for you. Are you ready to make It Wow? Okay, here's the deal. My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area. That's right, we'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th. Make it wow is a live Bonkerballs competition game show where real little kids are the star of the show. Two teams of Wowzers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage. Tickets are on sale now. Grown ups visit Tinkercast.com events to get your ticket today. That's Tinkercast.com events. We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring. But until then, let's get on with the show.

[Dennis]

Ah ah ah ah ah. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing, me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh wait, no, I said laughing twice. Ah, whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah. We wow on the weekend. Laugh. We. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis and this is my co host, Reggie the giant pigeon. Reggie. Reggie, Reggie, turn off your music. Thank you. Now pay attention while I'm hosting please, because Reggie, Wee Wow on the Weekend is a very professional show. And Reggie. Oh, whatever. Let's just move on to rating reviewsies. Ahem. I'm reading reviewsies for me and for Uzies. We've got us some doozies, so let's read reviews. Z, are you done with your music now? Yeah, now that we're doing a fun segment, you're all into the show, aren't you? That's what I thought. Okay, let's see what we've got here.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

This reviewsie comes from username Lee Academy. The title reads Static Man Wee wow. And the message says hi Mr. Dennis. Oh, I love it when people call me Mr. Dennis because Reggie, it makes me sound distinguished. Hi Mr. Dennis. Please tell Static man to make a Wee Wow podcast for Tuesday. Love your show. 100 out of 10 stars. Wow. Thanks for the stars. Lee Academy and a Static Man Wee wow podcast for Tuesday. Huh? This Tuesday?

[Mindy]

Oof.

[Dennis]

That's really short notice. Lee Academy. I mean that's in like two days. And Static man would have to come up with a whole show with new segments and action packed adventures. Right. Probably generate a whole bunch of static. How am I supposed to do all that by Tuesday? I mean, how is Static man supposed to do all that by Tuesday? But it's a great idea, Lee Academy. I'll contact Static Man's PR team and we'll see what happens. Next. Reviewsy. This reviewsy comes from username Podcast lover. American flag emoji. The subject line says Bryce. Huh, that's weird. Well, they misspelled Dennis. Oh, right. And Reggie. They misspelled Dennis and Reggie. Well, the message says, this podcast is awesome and these are my favorite foods. Peach emoji, melon emoji, blueberries emoji, broccoli emoji, pancake emoji, bread emoji, cheese emoji, cheeseburger emoji, sandwich emoji, pizza emoji. And I rate 20 out of 10. I love emojis. I love wee. Wow on the weekend. Love Bryce. Oh, your name is Bryce? Sorry, my mistake. Okay, so to recap, Bryce likes foods and emojis and podcasts, and that has been our one time only segment. Bryce likes. Bryce likes. Bryce likes. Next reviewsie. This last reviewsie comes from username Doctor whose whatsits. Oh, a doctor. Okay, I'm so glad we have a doctor in the comments because I have a question for you. Doctor who's whatsits, does this scab on my elbow look infected to you? Oh, right, they can't see it. Um, doctor who's whatsits, does this scab on my elbow sound infected to you? Here, I'll hold it up to the mic. Just let me get my elbow up here. Reggie, quiet. I'm talking to the doctor. How do you know this won't work? Are you a doctor? Exactly. Me neither. Oh, you're right. We gotta get to the good doctors reviewsing.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

The subject line says wee Wowza on the weekend. The message says the weekend program has quickly become our absolute favorite weekend. Listen, thanks for the short and sweet episodes. And please keep em coming. Fire emoji. Don't worry, Doctor who's Whatsits. We will keep em coming because we literally have nothing else better to do. And speaking of keeping it short and sweet, we better move on. Thanks for all your reviewsies, everyone. Keep em coming. And if you leave a comment on Apple podcasts or Spotify, I just might read it on Wee Wow on the weekend. And don't forget to give us all the stars, Reggie. I need all the stars because I print them out and stick them to my ceiling with tape. And every night I pick A different star to make a wish on. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 2, Episode 39 called Spit the Science of Saliva and those Bitter Bites. Reggie, this is one of the very first episodes of wow in the World featuring me. Dennis, you don't remember me in this episode? Yeah, I guess it was a long time ago and I sound a little different, but I don't remember there being any spit. Do people spit in this episode? Ew. Are you sure? Well, I don't know. Maybe SPIT is an acronym that stands for Super Pointy Iguana Tails. Reggie, it could be about iguanas. Although I don't know why they would be spitting. Right, let's listen and find out. Okay, here we go. And play.

[Mindy]

Weewow will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

What in the world?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, open the door. It's me, Mindy.

[Dennis]

Hey, Mindy. Good morning, Dennis. Listen, I've been sneaking bites of your gingerbread mansion, and I just thought you should know it tastes really terrible.

[Guy Raz]

Ugh.

[Dennis]

It's really bitter. Why is it so bitter?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, hey, Mindy. Hello, Dennis.

[Dennis]

Oh, hi there, Guy. I was just telling Mindy her mansion here tastes like gingerbread wrapped in grapefruit and dipped in earwax. Really gross. Maybe you should ask her why it's.

[Mindy]

So happy unbirthday, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

What? Mindy, it's not my birthday. My birthday was like, nine months ago, and you forgot. Don't you remember?

[Mindy]

Forgot that I remembered your birthday?

[Guy Raz]

Nuh.

[Mindy]

Because I seem to remember forgetting to remember that I forgot to remember.

[Guy Raz]

This is giving me a headache.

[Mindy]

Oh, that headache is just me, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Well, in any case, it's not my birthday, but I'll be sure to remember this moment the next time it comes around, okay? Okay. Thanks. So watch your foot there. Bye.

[Mindy]

Wait. I know that it's not your birthday, Guy Raz. That's why I said Happy un Birthday.

[Guy Raz]

Happy. Huh?

[Mindy]

Happy not your birthday to you Happy not yout Birthday to you Happy not yout Birthday, Dear Guy Razzie. Happy not yout Birthday to you.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, what is all of this even about?

[Mindy]

What is all of this even about? Guy Raz? It's about the exciting day that I have planned for your un. Birthday well.

[Guy Raz]

Well, I was just planning on taking it easy today. You know, maybe a few crossword puzzles, spend some time catching up on reading terms and conditions. What is that, Reggie?

[Mindy]

Hey, Reg.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, why is Reggie driving your motor pickle?

[Mindy]

Because you don't let the pigeon drive the bus, Guy Raz. Everybody knows that.

[Guy Raz]

Guess I'll have to hop on the old motor pickle, then.

[Mindy]

After you.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you.

[Mindy]

Okay, Reg, we're gonna need you to take us to that new place, the Spit Take.

[Guy Raz]

The Spit Take?

[Mindy]

It's a new experimental restaurant that specializes in all of your favorite foods. Artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale.

[Guy Raz]

Kale?

[Mindy]

Happy unbirthday, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Brussels sprouts, artichokes.

[Mindy]

Here we go. Thanks for the ride, Reg.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, thanks, Reggie. You didn't tell me that this new experimental restaurant was shaped like a human mouth, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah, and lucky for you, it looks like they're rolling out the red carpet in honor of your big un birthday.

[Guy Raz]

I don't think that's a red carpet, Mindy. It looks like that red carpet is a tongue.

[Mindy]

What are we waiting for? Come on, let's go inside.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. People are eating at tables that look like teeth. What is this place?

[Mindy]

So the spit tank opened right after this scientist from Purdue University unveiled an amazing new study.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, what was it?

[Mindy]

It was a study that explored the link between our spit and our willingness to eat things like leafy green vegetables and dark chocolate and coffee.

[Guy Raz]

Huh. I feel like all those things share something in common, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[Reggie]

Hello, and welcome to the Spit Take party for two.

[Mindy]

Don't mind if I do.

[Reggie]

Right this way.

[Guy Raz]

What's this slippery wet stuff all over the floor in here? It's dripping from the ceilings and from everywhere. This place feels like a damp cave.

[Reggie]

Oh, that's the organic saliva imported from the Mediterranean. Or was it the Netherlands?

[Mindy]

Ooh la la. Did you hear that, Guy Raz? Imported saliva.

[Guy Raz]

What? We're walking in spit.

[Reggie]

Here at the Spit Take, we only import the finest saliva from around the world. Each batch a perfect combination of water and chemicals to keep your mouth moist.

[Dennis]

Ugh.

[Guy Raz]

Don't say moist.

[Mindy]

Yeah, nobody likes that word.

[Reggie]

Now, here we are. Please take a seat, Guy Raz.

[Mindy]

Ever since that study I mentioned was unveiled, culture vultures from around the world are all agreeing that spit is it spit.

[Guy Raz]

Is it as in in style or on trend or the zeitgeist? Really?

[Reggie]

Joseph will be with you in just a few moments. Enjoy.

[Mindy]

I'm so excited.

[Reggie]

Hello there. My name is Ginger. I'll be taking care of y'all today. Can I get you anything to drink? We have coffee and we have chocolate milk and. And that is it.

[Mindy]

I'll have a chocolate milk, please.

[Guy Raz]

I'll just have a water.

[Reggie]

Is it okay if there is coffee in your water?

[Guy Raz]

No, I would just like a water, please.

[Reggie]

We don't have water, sir.

[Guy Raz]

But you just said there's water in the coffee.

[Reggie]

One coffee it is. I'll be right back to take your order.

[Mindy]

But sorry, Guy Raz, I forgot to mention that here at the Spit Take, they only serve food and drinks with a bitter taste.

[Guy Raz]

Bitter? Mindy, what kind of restaurant is this?

[Mindy]

Um, a restaurant that serves literally all of your favorites. I mean, go ahead, look at the menu.

[Guy Raz]

Hmm. Okay. Broccoli rabe with olives and garlic. Stir fried mustard greens, Roasted brussels sprouts. Mindy, these are all my leafy green favorites.

[Mindy]

Happy un birthday, little buddy.

[Guy Raz]

But Mindy, I. I do have a confession to make.

[Mindy]

Uh, are you about to tell me a secret? Cause I gotta make sure I'm livestreaming this.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Here, tuck into this end.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, no, put. Put the phone down. Mindy, this is not for the whole world to know.

[Mindy]

Fine. Alright, what's the secret confession?

[Guy Raz]

I.

[Mindy]

What?

[Guy Raz]

I didn't always.

[Mindy]

Didn't always what?

[Guy Raz]

I didn't always like.

[Mindy]

Ugh, just say it, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

I didn't always like the taste of leafy green vegetables. Mindy, say something.

[Mindy]

Chocolate milk.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Reggie]

Ooh, hope I'm not interrupting anything. Just wanted to drop off your coffee here. And your chocolate milk, ma'am. Now, either of you first timers? Here we are.

[Guy Raz]

It's my unbirthday.

[Reggie]

Okay, so here's how the restaurant works. We are an expert experimental eatery that sources and serves only the most bitter foods and we prepare them in the most bitter way possible.

[Guy Raz]

There's no sugar or milk in this coffee water at all.

[Reggie]

Fantastic. Spit take, sir. That's what we like to see here.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, that's kind of the point.

[Reggie]

And while everything will probably taste a little bit toxic at first, we will continue to bring these foods out to your table until you start to enjoy them, which could take up to seven days. Is that okay?

[Mindy]

Okie doke.

[Guy Raz]

Huh? Great.

[Reggie]

I'll be right back with your broccoli kale Bitter bites.

[Guy Raz]

Mm mm.

[Reggie]

You are going to detest them, but okay.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, you were just starting to tell me the mind blowing secret that once upon a time you did not like the taste of kale.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right. Well, to be honest, Mindy, it's kind of hard for me to talk about because, as you know, these days, I'm known as the kale crusader. You know, the kale guy.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah. I've seen you parading through the farmer's market with your please don't kale my vibe posters.

[Guy Raz]

Kale is the key to saying no to kale constipation. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Consider this your body's Wake up, kale. Heed this kale to action. It's time to kale and quits on juniper food.

[Dennis]

Oh, hi there, Guy.

[Guy Raz]

Hello, Dennis.

[Dennis]

Ooh, nice bullhorn. What is that, like 20 watts? Should have got the 50 watt, and then people can hear you a little better.

[Mindy]

Whew.

[Guy Raz]

Well, what can I say? I'm a kale fan. Kale, brussels sprouts, mustard greens. I never leave home without them. But, Mindy, there was once upon a time where that wasn't the case.

[Mindy]

Let me guess. When you were a little kid?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, how did you know? Wow, it feels really good to get this off my chest.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, most kids don't like the taste of green leafy vegetables, but I.

[Guy Raz]

Wasn'T like most kids. Mindy.

[Mindy]

Hmm. Color me surprised. Guy Raz, I want you to think back to when you were just a tiny guy Razzie.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, okay, thinking back now, I want.

[Mindy]

You to think back to the very first time that your mom fed you some leafy green kale from the garden and what that tasted like to you.

[Guy Raz]

Okay? Imagining those days.

[Dennis]

Days, little guy Razzie, I've harvested some Brassica oleraceae from the garden. Here, try some. Ah. Feel the delicious dance of your olfactory and gustatory cells. Yuck.

[Mindy]

Ew.

[Dennis]

Bitter. Bitter bite.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I do remember it tasting pretty awful and bitter.

[Mindy]

Yep. And that brings us back to that study I was about to tell you about earlier.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right, the one about the new connections between our spit and foods with a bitter taste.

[Mindy]

Yeah. So here's the scoop. This researcher named Dr. Cordelia, running from Indiana's Purdue University, knew that bitter tasting foods like kale and brussels sprouts were not exactly loved by most people.

[Guy Raz]

As opposed to the other four basic tastes. Salty, sweet, sour, and umami.

[Mindy]

Umami?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Umami is a savory taste found in foods like meat and fish and some vegetables and even dairy products like cheese.

[Mindy]

Ooh, mamey. Sorry.

[Guy Raz]

So I guess the idea behind this study was that Most people, when given the choice, would rather eat something salty or sweet or any other taste over bitter.

[Mindy]

Yeah. So out of all five of the basic flavors, bitter is known to be the most unpleasant, to say the least. But it's also the flavor found in some of the healthiest foods for our bodies. And while it might be good for you, no one is gonna ask for a big kale cake topped with mustard greens and dollops of Brussels sprouts on their birthday cake.

[Reggie]

Happy birthday to.

[Mindy]

Not now. What I'm getting at, Guy raz, is that Dr. Running had a hunch that maybe this rejection of bitter foods is something that we can change about ourselves biologically by actually changing how we physically taste right down to our teeny, tiny.

[Guy Raz]

Taste buds, as opposed to psychologically, where we convince ourselves that we really, really like these. These foods.

[Mindy]

Egg oritos, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

So is this where our saliva or spit comes in?

[Mindy]

Almost. But first, I should say that Dr. Running took this hunch she had and decided to conduct an experiment.

[Guy Raz]

Ooh, I love a good scientific experiment. What was it?

[Mindy]

Okay, so she got 64 people to agree to drink chocolate milk every day for a whole week. And every time they drank it, they had to rate the flavor from bad to good. Like, on a scale of 1 to.

[Guy Raz]

10, drinking chocolate milk for science. Hmm.

[Mindy]

Hey, anything for science, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

But I don't understand. I mean, chocolate milk is one of the sweetest treats I can think of. It's kind of nutritious, but very delicious.

[Mindy]

Delicious. Not so fast. See, this chocolate milk was flavored with chocolate or cocoa that contained only 4% sugar.

[Guy Raz]

Ah. Much less sugar than a regular chocolate bar that contains up to 23% sugar.

[Mindy]

Right. So, as you can imagine, chocolate, or rather, cocoa with almost no sugar in it might taste pretty bitter.

[Guy Raz]

For most people, maybe, but not for. For me. I love dark chocolate.

[Mindy]

Like you said, Guy Raz, you're not like most people.

[Guy Raz]

So what did Dr. Running learn from her experiment?

[Mindy]

Well, she learned that while the chocolate milk tasted crazy bitter to most people at first.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Mindy]

By the end of the week, most of the people in the study actually started to like it. At least it seemed to lose some of its bitter taste the more they drank it.

[Guy Raz]

So over the course of the weeks, something in their bodies was changing the way they tasted the bitterness in the cocoa.

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Guy Raz]

Interesting.

[Mindy]

Which brings us back to spit.

[Guy Raz]

Ugh. Do we really need to talk about spit at the dinner table?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz? We are literally in a restaurant shaped like an open mouth and called the Spit Take Hi. Hi.

[Reggie]

Just checking in. Anything I can get you guys? Maybe some citrus peels to snack on.

[Guy Raz]

Citrus peels?

[Mindy]

I think we're gonna need a few more minutes to look over the menu. Thanks.

[Reggie]

Okay, back to spit.

[Guy Raz]

I feel like we never left it.

[Mindy]

After the people in the study drank their bitter chocolate milk and rated the taste, they had to, you know, what, send their spit to Dr. Running.

[Guy Raz]

What, so, like, they spit into an envelope and just mailed it to her?

[Mindy]

No, I'm pretty sure that would be too messy. Envelopes, drooling all over the mailboxes. I think they used something more scientific, like, I don't know, maybe a test tube or something. Oh, and then they mailed their spit to her.

[Guy Raz]

And what exactly did she do with tubes of spit from 64 different people?

[Mindy]

She took them to Purdue's spit lab and studied them.

[Guy Raz]

I'm sorry, did you say spit lab?

[Mindy]

Oh, well, the full name is Purdue's Saliva Perception Ingestion and Tongues Laboratory, but most people just call it the Spit Lab for short.

[Guy Raz]

An entire laboratory dedicated to studying spit for science.

[Mindy]

Anywho, what she found was pretty wow.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yeah.

[Mindy]

Yeah. So after studying the spit samples from these 64 different people, she and her team started noticing that there were changes in the spit during the course of the experiment.

[Guy Raz]

Changes like what?

[Mindy]

Well, first I should mention that in addition to helping us chew and swallow and break down the food that we shovel into our traps, spit is also full of these teeny, tiny molecules called proteins. And those proteins help us to taste the different food flavors caused by the.

[Guy Raz]

Chemicals in our foods, like sweetness and sourness and bitterness.

[Mindy]

You know it. But after studying the spit of these people, she noticed that the more of this bitter chocolate milk they drank, the more certain proteins in their spit began to change.

[Guy Raz]

Huh. So the more their spit came into contact with the bitter flavor flavors in the cocoa, the more those special proteins were made in their spit, and the less they were able to taste the bitterness?

[Mindy]

Well, basically, yeah. So their spit glands actually learned to make more of that protein that dampened or decreased the bitter flavor. Kind of like when you dump a bunch of water in my orange juice to water it down and think I don't notice.

[Guy Raz]

So, just to be clear, Dr. Running discovered that after a week of drinking bitter chocolate milk, the people in the experiment had more of these diluting molecules than when they started.

[Mindy]

Pretty bonker balls, right? The building blocks of their spit basically changed to tell their brains that the bitter cocoa wasn't so bitter after all.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. You know, Mindy, this could Explain why I love eating kale now, but I didn't like it when I was a little.

[Mindy]

Yeah? What do you mean?

[Guy Raz]

Well, even though I didn't like kale or Brussels sprouts or even dark chocolate as a kid, I still had to eat them.

[Mindy]

So when you were a little kid, you actually tried again and again and again and again to eat the bitter foods that you detested?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. With almost every meal, I couldn't have dessert until I did. But Mindy, over time, I started to actually enjoy these foods. And now, well, I'm the kale crusader.

[Mindy]

Wow, Guy Raz, your spit actually changed to make you like the taste of those bitter leafy green vegetables, man. Just goes to show that maybe it's not just the taste that determines what.

[Guy Raz]

We eat, but what we eat can, over time, determine the taste.

[Mindy]

Whew. I might have to chew on that one for a while.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, Mindy, Sorry, it's just taking me.

[Mindy]

A while or two on this Broccoli kale bitter bite.

[Dennis]

Hi.

[Mindy]

Hi.

[Reggie]

Just checking in to see how those bitter bites are going for ya.

[Dennis]

Huh? Ugh.

[Mindy]

Feel crazy bitter. Can I spit it out now?

[Reggie]

Oh, of course you can. There's a spit trough right over there.

[Guy Raz]

A spit trough.

[Reggie]

Now bring out another serving. Like I said, it could take up to seven days or more for your saliva to change enough for the bitter flavor to go away.

[Mindy]

Raz, here, put on these magnifying goggles and check out my spit. See if you can see any changes in it yet.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I'm not gonna happy on birthday to you. Wow. Just for me. Is that a cake made entirely out of raw kale?

[Mindy]

You know it.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, look, it's even decorated with tiny little broccoli florets. Mindy, this is the best not my birthday ever.

[Mindy]

Go ahead, Guy Raz, take a bite.

[Guy Raz]

Okay. Two bitter mommy. Too bitter mommy.

[Mindy]

He might need a few more bites before his saliva gets used to it.

[Dennis]

There was so much spit in that episode. Yeah, I was on the floor and in the trough and in the mail. Spit in the mail, Reggie. But you know, it did get me thinking about Mindy's gingerbread mansion. Yeah. That I only tried to eat it that one time and it was horrible and bitter. But if I keep trying it every day, maybe my saliva will change and I'll be able to finally eat it. I know. We need to go eat Mindy's house right now. Alright, let's wrap up the show first.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the weekend. If you have a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-888-7-WWOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay. Should we do the goodbye song? Good.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

That's the end of the show. I need to go and eat a bunch of Mindy's gingerbread house and see if my saliva changes. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.

[Mindy]

Grown ups. If you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey.