Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Taste is influenced by several factors. However, whether habitual exercise level is associated with differences in taste perception has received little investigation. The aim of this study was to determine if habitual exercise is associated with differences in taste perception in men. Active (n = 16) and inactive (n = 14) males, between ages 18–55, underwent two days of sensory testing, using prototypical taste stimuli of high and low concentrations for sweet, salt, bitter, sour, umami, and carbohydrate (maltodextrin). Mean perceived intensity and hedonic ratings were recorded. Eating behaviour was assessed by the three factor eating questionnaire and food intake by EPIC food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). There were moderate to large differences between the two groups in perceived intensity for sweet taste at the high concentration and umami taste at both high and low concentrations, with active males recording a higher perceived intensity (p < 0.05 for all). The active group also recorded a greater dislike for umami low and carbohydrate low concentration (p < 0.01). Salt, bitter and sour perception did not significantly differ between the two groups. FFQ analysis showed no difference in % energy from macronutrients between the groups. Eating behaviour traits correlated with sweet taste intensity and umami taste liking, independent of activity status. Results indicated that sweet and umami taste perception differ in active compared to inactive males. Habitual exercise level should be considered in taste perception research and in product development. Whether differences in taste perception could be one factor influencing food intake and thus energy balance with habitual exercise warrants further investigation.
Highlights
The sense of taste allows us to identify and distinguish between sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami qualities [1], perceived on the tongue in the absence of odour
Using data from a recent study assessing sweet intensity in adults [29], as taste intensity was the primary outcome measure, differences with physical activity in females were previously shown in relation to sweet taste [14], and the most similar literature that provided quantitative data to allow sample size calculation related to sweet taste
The present findings demonstrate that taste perception intensity differed between active and inactive males
Summary
The sense of taste allows us to identify and distinguish between sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami qualities [1], perceived on the tongue in the absence of odour. Sedentary individuals have been proposed to be at a greater risk of overeating due to a lack of physiological regulation of appetite [17] and several aspects of appetite and food intake regulation have been shown to vary depending on habitual physical activity level [18,19,20] Evidence from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies suggests physical activity is associated with improved short-term appetite control [19]. The present study aimed to compare taste perception (taste intensity and liking) between active and inactive males for the five ‘basic’ taste qualities of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami tastes, as well as the more recently proposed carbohydrate taste
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
