Acceptance of health-promoting Brassica vegetables: the influence of taste perception, information and attitudes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative importance of specific health knowledge and taste on acceptance of Brassica vegetables (broccoli, red and green cabbages, broccolini, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts).


METHODS
In a sample of adults all reporting medium-high physical activity (as a marker/control of health behaviour) and reporting either low (≤2 portions/d) or high (≥3 portions/d) vegetable intake, half of those with low vegetable consumption (Li group) and half of those with high vegetable consumption (Hi group) received cancer protection information, while the other half did not (Ln and Hn groups), before hedonic (9-point), perceived taste and flavour impact responses (100 mm scales) to samples of six Brassica vegetables were elicited. Additionally, attitudes towards foods for health, pleasure and reward, sociodemographics, intentions to consume the vegetables in the near future and recall of health information were also measured.


METHODS
Adult males and females (n 200) aged 18-55 years.


METHODS
Central location testing, Adelaide, Australia.


RESULTS
Information groups Li and Hi reported specific cancer protection information knowledge, in contrast to Ln and Hn groups (P < 0·000). Information independently influenced responses to (the least liked) Brussels sprouts only. Multivariate regression analysis found sensory perception tended to predict liking and intentions to consume Brassica vegetables. For example, broccoli hedonics (adjusted R                  2 = 0·37) were predicted (P < 0·05) by bitterness (β = -0·38), flavour (β = 0·31), sweetness (β = 0·17) and female gender (β = 0·19) and intentions to consume (adjusted R                  2 = 0·20) were predicted (P < 0·05) by bitterness (β = -0·38), flavour (β = 0·24), female gender (β = 0·20) and vegetable intake (β = 0·14).


CONCLUSIONS
Addressing taste dimensions (while retaining healthy compounds) may be more important than promoting health information in order to increase the popularity of Brassica vegetables.
CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. david.cox@csiro.au
David N
DN
Cox
Lauro
L
Melo
Dimitrios
D
Zabaras
Conor M
CM
Delahunty
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001937:Brassica; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste; D055697:Taste Perception; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult