Relationship between Sucrose Taste Detection Thresholds and Preferences in Children, Adolescents, and Adults.

Sara Petty,Marta Yanina Pepino,Julie A Mennella,Clara Salame

doi:10.3390/nu12071918

Sara Petty, Marta Yanina Pepino + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071918

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Abstract

To address gaps in knowledge, our objectives were to (1) to determine whether there are age-related changes in sweet taste detection thresholds, as has been observed for sweet taste preferences, and (2) determine whether detection thresholds and taste preferences were significantly related to each other from childhood to adulthood. We combined data from studies that used the same validated psychophysical techniques to measure sucrose taste detection threshold and the most preferred sucrose concentration in children (n = 108), adolescents (n = 172), and adults (n = 205). There were significant effects of age group on both sucrose detection thresholds (p < 0.001) and most preferred sucrose concentration (p < 0.001). While children had higher sucrose detection thresholds than adolescents, who in turn tended to have higher detection thresholds than adults, both children and adolescent most preferred sucrose concentrations were higher than that of adults (all p < 0.05). Among each age group, and when combined, the lowest sucrose concentration detected was not significantly correlated with the most preferred sucrose concentration (all p > 0.18). These data provide further evidence that age-related changes in sucrose taste preferences that occur during adolescence cannot be explained by changes in taste sensitivity and that these two dimensions of sweet taste undergo distinct developmental trajectories from childhood to adulthood.

Highlights

Sweetness, one of the most preferred taste sensations, can be characterized by an array of distinct attributes—some of which can be measured from an early age
Using validated methods that assess the hedonics of the taste system by directly measuring the level of sweetness preferred in participants of varying ages, research has shown that children experience tastes differently than adults, sweet tastes
Data from individuals who participated in research studies that included measurements of either sucrose taste detection thresholds alone or both sucrose detection thresholds and the most preferred sucrose concentration were included in this study

Summary

Introduction

One of the most preferred taste sensations, can be characterized by an array of distinct attributes—some of which can be measured from an early age. Psychophysical studies can provide data relevant to two separate attributes of taste: sensitivity of the system to chemical stimuli and the hedonic valence of the sensation [1]. Sensitivity and hedonics reflect distinct features of the taste system, and this distinction is usually unambiguous, the terms are often used interchangeably, despite little or no evidence that they are directly associated with one another. Using validated methods that assess the hedonics of the taste system by directly measuring the level of sweetness preferred in participants of varying ages, research has shown that children experience tastes differently than adults, sweet tastes.

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