title: Sweet taste preferences are partly genetically determined: identification of a trait locus on chromosome 16.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Humans have an innate preference for sweet taste, but the degree of liking for sweet foods varies individually.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The proportion of inherited sweet taste preference was studied. A genome-wide linkage analysis was performed to locate the underlying genetic elements in the genome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 146 subjects (32% men, 68% women) aged 18-78 y from 26 Finnish families evaluated the intensity and pleasantness of 3 suprathreshold solutions of sucrose (3.0%, 7.5%, and 18.75%) and plain water and the intensity of filter paper impregnated with 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). The subjects also reported the pleasantness and the use frequency of 5 sweet foods (chocolate, candy, ice cream, sweet desserts, and sweet pastry) and completed a food-behavior questionnaire that measured their craving for sweet foods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the chemosensory functions, the pleasantness rating of the strongest (18.75%) sucrose solution and the intensity rating of PROP yielded the highest heritability estimates (41% and 66%, respectively). The pleasantness and the use frequency of sweet foods (both variables calculated as a mean of ratings for 5 food items) and the craving for sweet foods showed significant heritability (40%, 50%, and 31%, respectively). A logarithm of odds score of 3.5 (P=0.00003) was detected for use frequency of sweet foods on chromosome 16p11.2 (marker D16S753).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sweet taste preferences are partly inherited. Chromosome 16p11.2 may harbor genetic variations that affect the consumption of sweet foods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Technology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kaisu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keskitalo
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knaapila
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallela
authors.forename: Aarno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palotie
authors.forename: Maija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wessman
authors.forename: Sampo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sammalisto
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peltonen
authors.forename: Hely
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tuorila
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008126:Lod Score; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics*; D013732:Test Anxiety Scale
chemical_list: D011441:Propylthiouracil; D004247:DNA