A potential sex dimorphism in the relationship between bitter taste and alcohol consumption.
BACKGROUND
Bitterness is an innate aversive taste important in detecting potentially toxic substances, including alcohol. However, bitter compounds exist in many foods and beverages, and can be desirable, such as in beer. TAS2R38 is a well-studied bitter taste receptor with common polymorphisms. Some have reported relationships between TAS2R38 genotypes, bitter taste phenotype and alcohol intake, however results have been mixed. These mixed results may be explained by the varying taste properties of different alcoholic beverages or a sex dimorphism in responses.


METHODS
Bitter taste phenotype was assessed using PROP taste test and TAS2R38-P49A genotype was assessed by RFLP-PCR. Alcohol intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and classified by beverage type (beer, wine, spirits or mixed drinks). The relationships between bitter taste phenotype and carriage of the P allele of the TAS2R38-A49P gene and alcohol intake were assessed adjusted for and stratified by sex, and the interaction between taste and sex was evaluated.


RESULTS
The relationship between alcohol intake and bitter taste phenotype varied by beverage type, with significant results for beer, spirits and mixed drinks, but not wine. When stratified, results varied by sex, and were only significant in males. Significant interactions were found for taster phenotype and sex (total alcohol intake and intake of beer and spirits). Results were similar for carriage of the TAS2R38-P49A P allele.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex-specific interactions between bitter taste phenotype, TAS2R38 genotype and alcohol intake may explain variance in previous studies and may have implications for sex-specific disease risk and public health interventions.
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2258, Australia. emma.beckett@newcastle.edu.au and Food and Nutrition Flagship, CSIRO, NSW, Australia and School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Emma Louise
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8888-3789
EL
Beckett
Food and Nutrition Flagship, CSIRO, NSW, Australia.
Konsta
K
Duesing
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2258, Australia. emma.beckett@newcastle.edu.au.
Lyndell
L
Boyd
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia.
Zoe
Z
Yates
School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia and Teaching and Research Unit, Central Coast Local Health District, PO Box 361, Gosford, 2250, Australia.
Martin
M
Veysey
School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2258, Australia. emma.beckett@newcastle.edu.au.
Mark
M
Lucock
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D000438:Alcohols / Q000378:metabolism; D000483:Alleles; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013649:Taste; D055815:Young Adult; D000098706:Taste Receptors, Type 2
D000438:Alcohols; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000098706:Taste Receptors, Type 2