title: Taste preference and rating of commercial and natural thickeners.
abstract: Dysphagia can negatively affect quality of life, nutritional status, and pulmonary status of individuals. The most common intervention for dysphagia is the use of thickening agents for liquids. This group study (n = 43) investigated the taste preference, taste ratings, and ranking for nectar-thick hot and cold beverages using three types of thickeners: SimplyThick, Thick-It, and noncommercially prepared natural thickeners. Results demonstrated a significant difference between the taste ratings of two commercial thickeners and between one commercial and the natural thickener for the ranking of taste with hot beverages. Every participant rated at least one of the thickener beverages as having an acceptable taste for the hot chocolate and fruit juice beverages. Exploring individual preferences is critical to selecting a beverage that increases compliance to clinical recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Hearing Speech and Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horwarth
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001628:Beverages; D002099:Cacao; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D005503:Food Additives