It uses electrostimulation to enhance flavour in patients with a loss of taste. The researchers hope the spoon will help combat the high levels of malnutrition that people living with dementia can experience through their loss of taste.
According to research around 50 million people worldwide live with dementia and this figure is expected to triple in the next 20 to 25 years. The project has been awarded funding by Alzheimer’s Society through their Accelerator Programme to make the Tasty Spoon accessible and affordable.
Dr Christian Morgner, from the University of Sheffield’s management school, said: “The development of a technological aid like the Tasty Spoon has the potential to rekindle the pleasure of eating for those facing taste-related challenges and therefore contribute to better health as well as mitigating the expense of treating the side-effects of poor nutrition for the NHS.”