RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BITTER TASTE SENSITIVITY AND CONSUMPTION OF BITTER SUBSTANCES

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe effect of consumption of bitter taste substances (caffeine and beer) to bitter taste sensitivity was examined by 19 healthy adults. For individual taste sensitivity, detection thresholds were used on 6 bitter substances (caffeine, iso‐alpha‐acids: beer bittering agents, quinine sulfate, L‐tryptophan, L‐phenylalanine and glycyl‐L‐phenylalanyl‐L‐phenylalanine) and 3 non‐bitter substances (L‐aspartic acid, aspartame and NaCl). Nonusers of caffeine had significantly higher sensitivity (lower threshold) for caffeine compared to moderate and heavy users. Slight consumers of beer had significantly higher sensitivity for iso‐alpha‐acids relative to heavy users of beer, Iso‐alpha‐acids were not detected in saliva in acute dosing test by using 6 subjects. The correlations between thresholds of 6 bitter substances were calculated. Significant correlations (p < 0.01) were noted in 2 cases between caffeine and quinine, and iso‐alpha‐acids and L‐trypothan. These data suggest the significant relation between individual bitter taste sensitivity and the consumption of caffeine and beer (iso‐alpha‐acids).