Differences in taste detection thresholds between normal-weight and obese young adults.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with normal-weight individuals, obese young adults exhibited a significantly higher taste threshold for salty taste. Smoking also affected taste functions in this population.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in taste detection thresholds between normal-weight and obese young adults.


METHODS
Taste threshold was measured using electrogustometry (EGM) and chemically with sucrose, NaCl, citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride in 41 volunteers in their twenties, 23 with body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m(2) (normal-weight group) and 18 with BMI >25 kg/m(2) (obese group).


RESULTS
BMI was significantly higher in the obese than in the normal-weight group (p < 0.05). The obese group exhibited significantly higher EGM thresholds than the normal-weight group on the right (p < 0.05) and left (p < 0.05) posterior tongue. In chemical taste tests, the obese group had higher thresholds for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes than the normal-weight group, although the difference in threshold was significant only for salty taste (p < 0.05). Smoking had an impact on taste threshold, with smokers having higher thresholds than non-smokers, with significantly higher EGM thresholds on the right anterior and posterior and the left anterior tongue (p < 0.05 each).
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, School of Medicine , Suwon.
Dong Choon
DC
Park
Joon Hyung
JH
Yeo
In Yong
IY
Ryu
Sang Hoon
SH
Kim
Junyang
J
Jung
Seung Geun
SG
Yeo
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013652:Taste Threshold; D055815:Young Adult
Electrogustometry; chemical taste test; salty taste; smoking