Taste acuity in response to zinc supplementation in older Europeans.
Taste acuity declines with age and may be dependent upon Zn status. The aim of the present double-blind, randomised controlled intervention trial has been to determine taste acuity in response to Zn supplementation (placebo, or 15 or 30 mg Zn/d). Healthy older European adults aged 70-87 years were recruited within Italy (Rome) (n 108) and France (Grenoble) (n 91) to the European Commission-funded Zenith project. A signal detection theory approach was adopted for taste assessment. The data were converted to R indices and analysed by repeated-measures ANOVA controlling for baseline taste acuity as well as serum and erythrocyte Zn. Serum Zn increased post-intervention, indicating compliance with the intervention. Results differed across geographical region. Salt taste acuity was greater in response to Zn (30 mg) than placebo post-intervention among those recruited in Grenoble. There was no apparent change in acuity for sweet, sour or bitter taste in response to Zn. Supplemented Zn may have potential to enhance salt taste acuity in those over the age of 70 years. Further research is required to determine if enhanced salt taste acuity is reflected in the eating experiences of older individuals.
Stewart-Knox
Barbara J
BJ
Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK. B.knox@ulster.ac.uk
Simpson
Ellen E A
EE
Parr
Heather
H
Rae
Gordon
G
Polito
Angela
A
Intorre
Federica
F
Andriollo Sanchez
Maud
M
Meunier
Natalie
N
O'Connor
Jacqueline M
JM
Maiani
Giuseppe
G
Coudray
Charles
C
Strain
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012384:Rome; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013652:Taste Threshold; D044465:White People; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D015032:Zinc