Retrospective Study
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World J Diabetes. Oct 15, 2014; 5(5): 717-723
Published online Oct 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i5.717
Taste sensitivity, nutritional status and metabolic syndrome: Implication in weight loss dietary interventions
Simona Bertoli, Monica Laureati, Alberto Battezzati, Valentina Bergamaschi, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, Ella Pagliarini
Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
Monica Laureati, Valentina Bergamaschi, Ella Pagliarini, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
Author contributions: Bertoli S and Pagliarini E contributed to study design; Laureati M, Bergamaschi V, Cereda E, Spadafranca A and Vignati L contributed to data collection; Cereda E contributed to data analyses; Bertoli S, Laureati M, Battezzati A, Cereda E and Pagliarini E contributed to data interpretation; Laureati M and Cereda E contributed to manuscript drafting; Bertoli S, Battezzati A and Pagliarini E contributed to critical revision of the manuscript; all the authors significantly contributed to the work, read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Simona Bertoli, MD, PhD, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, Via Botticelli 21, 20133 Milan, Italy. simona.bertoli@unimi.it
Telephone: +39-02-50316079 Fax: +39-02-50316077
Received: December 13, 2013
Revised: June 3, 2014
Accepted: June 20, 2014
Published online: October 15, 2014
Processing time: 247 Days and 12 Hours
Abstract

AIM: We investigated the relationship between taste sensitivity, nutritional status and metabolic syndrome and possible implications on weight loss dietary program.

METHODS: Sensitivity for bitter, sweet, salty and sour tastes was assessed by the three-Alternative-Forced-Choice method in 41 overweight (OW), 52 obese (OB) patients and 56 normal-weight matched controls. OW and OB were assessed also for body composition (by impedence), resting energy expenditure (by indirect calorimetry) and presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and were prescribed a weight loss diet. Compliance to the weight loss dietary program was defined as adherence to control visits and weight loss ≥ 5% in 3 mo.

RESULTS: Sex and age-adjusted multiple regression models revealed a significant association between body mass index (BMI) and both sour taste (P < 0.05) and global taste acuity score (GTAS) (P < 0.05), with lower sensitivity with increasing BMI. This trend in sensitivity for sour taste was also confirmed by the model refitted on the OW/OB group while the association with GTAS was marginally significant (P = 0.06). MetS+ subjects presented higher thresholds for salty taste when compared to MetS- patients while no significant difference was detected for the other tastes and GTAS. As assessed by multiple regression model, the association between salty taste and MetS appeared to be independent of sex, age and BMI. Patients continuing the program (n = 37) did not show any difference in baseline taste sensitivity when compared to drop-outs (n = 29). Similarly, no significant difference was detected between patients reporting and not reporting a weight loss ≥ 5% of the initial body weight. No significant difference in taste sensitivity was detected even after dividing patients on the basis of nutritional (OW and OB) or metabolic status (MetS+ and MetS-).

CONCLUSION: There is no cause-effect relationship between overweight and metabolic derangements. Taste thresholds assessment is not useful in predicting the outcome of a diet-induced weight loss program.

Keywords: Taste sensitivity; Nutritional status; Obesity; Metabolic syndrome; Weight loss dietary intervention

Core tip: This paper analyzed for the first time the relationship between taste sensitivity, nutritional status and metabolic syndrome parameters and its effects on the success of weight loss dietary program. We found that taste sensitivity appears related to weight excess and to metabolic syndrome only in the case of salty taste, while there is no implication related to a weight loss program.