Alcohol and Taste Intensity

Abstract

Although most US adults drink alcoholic beverages, little is known about the association between drinking and taste. We hypothesized that the ability to distinguish differing intensities of bitter and salt solutions would be poorer among drinkers than nondrinkers. We used cross-sectional data from 4990 participants aged 40+ from a large, national survey of the US population (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2012–2014). The validated generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) was used to rate participants’ perception of the intensities of a series of bitter (1 mM quinine) and salt (0.32 M and 1 M NaCl) solutions. Statistical analyses, weighted to produce nationally representative estimates, were adjusted for factors including race/ethnicity, education, marital status, income, body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, self-reported health status, diabetes, depression, and use of medications known to affect taste. In adjusted analyses, ability to distinguish intensity of a salt solution (0.32 M) was poorer among older (aged 60+) female current drinkers than their nondrinking counterparts (p = 0.001). Ability was also poorer among drinkers who consumed wine in the past 24 h compared to drinkers who consumed no alcohol during that time (p = 0.016). Ability to distinguish different intensities of the bitter solution was poorer among more frequent wine consumers (p = 0.034). We found few significant associations. However, the result for older women is potentially interesting given recent increases in drinking within that population. Taste is a novel consideration in research on alcohol consumption. We encourage further exploration in this area.