Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in taste receptors influence dietary choices that contribute to health and quality of life. Individual differences in sour taste perception and preference have been linked to heritable genetics, yet the impact of sour taste receptor SNPs on sour taste is under-researched, and studies on sour taste SNP associations to diet and health are lacking. Therefore, this study explored the relationships between the sour taste SNP KCNJ2-rs236514 and estimated macronutrient, vitamin and mineral intakes, and markers of metabolic health. Associations were explored in 523 participants aged 65 years and older with data analysed using standard least squares and nominal logistic regression modelling with post hoc student's t-tests and Tukey's HSD. Associations were found between the presence of the KCNJ2-rs236514 variant allele (A) and lower intakes of energy, total fat, monounsaturated fat and saturated fat. The lower fat intakes were significant in female carriers of the variant allele (A), along with lower water intake. Lower retinol, riboflavin, folate, calcium and sodium intakes were found in the KCNJ2-A allele carriers. In females, the variant allele was associated with lower sodium intake before and after Bonferroni adjustment. Higher body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio measures were found in males carrying the variant allele. Lower levels of liver function biomarkers were associated with the presence of the KCNJ2-A allele. Overall and in males, the variant's association to lower gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels remained significant after Bonferroni adjustments. These novel findings suggest the sour taste SNP, KCNJ2-rs236514, may be modifying macronutrient, vitamin and mineral intakes, and markers of metabolic health. Research on the extra-oral functions of this SNP may improve health outcomes for those with overweight, obesity and liver disease.
Highlights
Diet is a key determinant of non-communicable health outcomes and quality of life [1, 2]
Genetic contributions to taste differences have been established in studies on variance in genes coding for taste receptors [6,7,8,9,10]
The results indicate that carriage of the KCNJ2-rs236514 variant allele (A) is related to differences in fat and water intake, estimated intake of various micronutrients, body composition, blood glucose levels and blood biomarkers of liver health in an elderly cohort, and that these relationships vary by sex
Summary
Diet is a key determinant of non-communicable health outcomes and quality of life [1, 2]. This is becoming important in the context of an ageing population. Research on the consequential alterations to dietary patterns has primarily focused on the bitter taste genes [11, 12]. The metabolic health implications of these taste-gene associated dietary choices has focused on bitter and sweet taste-related polymorphisms [13,14,15]. The direct associations between many variants in taste genes, nutrient intake and biomarkers of health remain to be elucidated
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