Tongue papillae density and fat taster status- a cardinal role on sweet and bitter taste perception among Indian population

•Anterior papillae density could play a vital role in taste sensitivity.•An individual’s body mass index and papillae density are inversely correlated.•The number of papillae in the tongue’s anterior right and left regions were significantly different.•Participants with a diminished response to fat had a reduced papillae density.•Individuals who were more sensitive to fat were susceptible to both sweet and bitter tastes.