[9] The function of TAS2R16 is to bind to specific bitter-tasting molecules present in various foods, plants, and potentially harmful substances.

These analogues, such as natural toxins, are molecular scafold consists of a D-glucose monosaccharide linked by an oxygen atom to a phenyl group.

[5] Many plants, including cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts, contain bitter β-glucosides such as salicin, sinigrin, arbutin, and amygdalin.

[10] Taste receptors harbor many polymorphisms, and several SNPs have a profound impact on the gene function and expression.

[13] Recently studies have shown that mutation of the TAS2R16 gene could affect the intake of vegetables and anti-inflammatory food, which would influence age-related inflammatory diseases and increase the human lifespan.

In addition, polymorphism of the TAS2R16 gene seems to affect body mass index, alcohol intake, smoking and drug compliance.

[15] In a population of 941 individuals ranging from 60 to 106 years of age from the South of Italy, five significant associations between the SNPs in the chromosome 7 cluster and longevity was found, Three of them – observed in TAS2R16.