Feeding the body, awakening the senses

Abstract

Feeding the body in a pleasant way implies always to seduct and delight the senses. In such case, what is the role played by the taste? Departing from neo-Latin texts by from the late Sixteen and early Seventeen centuries Portuguese physicians, we will try to give evidence in a first instance that, in contrast with Christianity, which relegates taste for the base of the senses scale, medical treaties recognize, since Antiquity and up to Modern Era, the palate cognitive importance in the food substance apprehension, assisted by the smell. If the food that nourishes can also work as a medicine for the body, or as a “medicinal foodstuff”, it urges to seduce the patient palate, whereas only a satisfied palate will lead to the cure.