Controversies in fat perception.
Nutritional fat is one of the most controversial topics in nutritional research, particularly against the background of obesity. Studies investigating fat taste perception have revealed several associations with sensory, genetic, and personal factors (e.g. BMI). However, neuronal activation patterns, which are known to be highly sensitive to different tastes as well as to BMI differences, have not yet been included in the scheme of fat taste perception. We will therefore provide a comprehensive survey of the sensory, genetic, and personal factors associated with fat taste perception and highlight the benefits of applying neuroimaging research. We will also give a critical overview of studies investigating sensory fat perception and the challenges resulting from multifaceted methodological approaches. In conclusion, we will discuss a multifactorial approach to fat perception to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms that cause varying fat sensitivity which could be responsible for overeating. Such knowledge might be beneficial in new treatment strategies for obesity and overweight.
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology/fMEG Center, University of Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Jaana M
JM
Heinze
Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: hubert.preissl@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
Hubert
H
Preissl
Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Andreas
A
Fritsche
Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology/fMEG Center, University of Tübingen, Otfried Müller Str. 47, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Sabine
S
Frank
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D004041:Dietary Fats
Fat taste; Free fatty acids; Neuroimaging; Neuronal fat perception; Obesity; Sensory fat perception