title: Effect of Heavy Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on the Perception of Sweet and Salty Taste.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the threshold index of sweet and salty tastes in alcoholics undergoing treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Taste threshold was assessed using type 3-Alternative Forced Choice in a control group (92 non-alcoholic volunteers) and a test group (92 alcoholics in therapy). The test group completed a structured questionnaire on lifestyle and habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant difference were found between the threshold rates found in the test (3.78) and control groups (1.39). In the salty stimulus, no significant difference was noted in the threshold detection between the control (0.17) and test groups (0.30). A significant correlation was observed between the index Pearson's threshold to sweet taste in the test group and their reported alcohol consumption. The test group reported characteristics such as loss of appetite (93%), weight loss during consumption (62%) and weight gain after quitting drinking (72%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  That the alcoholic group reported less sensitivity to sweet taste suggests that drinking habits may influence choice of foods, with a greater preference for foods with higher sucrose concentration. This contribute to poor health, because excess consumption of sugar raises risk for several diseases. No conclusive results were found for the salty stimulus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Southwest Bahia, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n-Jequiezinho, Jequié - BA CEP 45206-190, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camile S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Southwest Bahia, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n-Jequiezinho, Jequié - BA CEP 45206-190, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vaneria R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Southwest Bahia, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n-Jequiezinho, Jequié - BA CEP 45206-190, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliane A Regis
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Southwest Bahia, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n-Jequiezinho, Jequié - BA CEP 45206-190, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jamile M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brazil
authors.affiliation: Northeast Independent School, Av. Luiz Eduardo Magalhães, 1035 - Candeias, Vitória da Conquista - BA CEP 45055-420, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ramon A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, State University of Southwest Bahia, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n-Jequiezinho, Jequié - BA CEP 45206-190, Brazil patricia@uesb.edu.br.
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Milagres
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D013652:Taste Threshold; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose