The use of a novel visual analog scale in conjunction with a zinc taste test to assess functional zinc status

Abstract

Zinc is an essential mineral of great importance to human health and general function, having a role in taste perception, growth regulation, immunocompetence, neural development and function, and reproduction‐associated processes. Zinc deficiency can lead to diarrhea, loss of motor function, pneumonia, anorexia, and dysgeusia. Despite its importance, a non‐invasive, reliable method of assessing zinc nutriture has yet to be established. The Bryce‐Smith zinc taste test (ZTT) was created based on the strong link between zinc nutriture and taste perception. We compared the results of ZTT scores against scores from a novel visual analog scale (VAS) over a population of 491 college‐age students. Individuals were also given a heath history questionnaire to account for known latent factors. A significant correlation was calculated when ZTT scores (1–4) were compared to VAS (0–100) scores (p‐value<0.01; R2=0.60). A significant correlation was found between averaged VAS scores and ZTT scores (p‐value< 0.01; R2>;0.99). Because the VAS correlates to the ZTT and assesses zinc with a greater range of data points, it appears to be a useful, and potentially more sensitive, adjuvant to the Bryce‐Smith ZTT. Research was funded by the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium Research Enhancement Award.