Andrew Liszewski looked at how technology could be used to improve nutrition without compromising taste:

• Researchers in Japan have built a fork that delivers electric shocks that are interpreted as different flavours by the tongue.
• Currently the fork is able to transmit a sensation of saltiness and sourness.
• The salt sensation is particularly intriguing since restaurants who supply the fork could cut down on the amount of salt in food, without affecting taste, improving blood pressure.
• Researchers managed to build the fork with just $18 worth of electronics.
• Each tongue is different and the fork can be calibrated to an individual’s taste buds.

   

Read more about the fork on Gizmodo.