• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2006

Sensory factors are important determinants of appetite and food choices but little is known about factors affecting taste acuity and preference of Koreans. Any factors causing deficits in sweet taste perception may lead to over consumption of simple sugar, which is related to several chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine factors affecting sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects were 30 government employees who were serving as school dietitians or in the area of public health while they were studying in the program for the qualification to become nutrition teachers. Sweet taste threshold and the optimally-preferred sweetness of omija jelly were determined by a sensory evaluation and general characteristics, health-related lifestyles, dietary habits and food preferences were determined using a self-administered questionnaire. For the subjects of this study, detection threshold concentration of sucrose solution was $0.184{\pm}0.06%$ and optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly was $13.88{\pm}2.28%$ and there was no significant correlation between the sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects who had higher(${\ge}4$ out of 10) physical or psychological stress and who had late getting-up time (after 7am) tended to have lower sweet taste threshold (higher sensitivity) than their counterpart. The sweet taste preference determined by optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly tended to be lower in the subjects who eat slowly. Those who answered in the questionnaire to prefer sweet foods did have significantly higher optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly. Further research is required to determine whether decreased sensitivity and increased preference for sweetness can increase the actual intake of simple sugar. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 107 -113, 2006)

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.143-152
• /
• 1994

To investigate the changes of taste perception by aging, sixty one healthy elderly people and sixty five young adults were participated in the study. Most preferred levels of salt sour and sweet taste were chosen in bean sprout soup radish salad and yaksing respectively. Threshold levels of each taste were also chosen in NaCl solution for salt taste in citric acid solution for sour taste and in sucrose solution for salt taste, in citric acid solution for sour taste and in sucrose solution for sweet taste. The results are as follow: 1.Most preferred salt concentration in bean sprout soup was significantly higher in the elderly than in the young adults(p$\leq$0.001). There was no difference in sour taste preference of radish salad in both age groups. Most preferred sweetness in yacksig was significantly higher in both elderly men and women(p$\leq$0.001) 2. Threshold levels of salt and sweet taste were significantly higher in the elderly (p$\leq$0.001) However there was no difference in threshold level of sour taste in both age groups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.995-1008
• /
• 1997

This study was performed to investigate the change in taste perception during aging and its effects on dietary intake in Korean elderly. The subjects were female aged 65 through 90 in the Anyang area, and college women were included as a comparison group . Dietary intake of the elderly(n=155) and young subjects (n=38) was measured by a 3 day diet record. The taste threshold and 'just right' concentrations(JRC) for sweet and salty tastes were assessed by sensory evaluation . Sucrose solution (0.0.,0.4,0.6,0.8,1.0, 1.2%) and salt solution(0, 0.02, 0.03,0.06,0.09,0.12,0.15%) were used to establish thresholds. for JRC assessment, four suprathreshold sucrose concentrations of 5, 8, 11 and 14% in orange-pineapple flavored juice and salt concentrations of 0.20, 0.34, 0.50and 0.75% in beef stock were prepared. Mean intakes of energy, protein , vitamin A, thiamin , riboflavin, niacin ,calcium and iron of the elderly were below the Korean Recommended Dietary allowances. The elderly showed higher taste thresholds than young subjects of both sweet and salty tastes consumed less calories. Needs to bespecified. The older subjects having high threshold or JRCs for sweet and salty tastes consumed fewer calories from protein and fat. Pearson correlation coefficients was between JRC for sweet and salty tastes 0.54(p<0.01). The correlation coefficients between tastes threshold and nutrient intakes were very low for both age groups. Unlike the college women, in the elderly the JRC of sweet taste of the orange-pineapple juice were negatively correlated with intakes of energy, protein, fats, thiamin , riboflavin , niacin ,vitamin C , iron and consumption of meat and egg food groups (p<0.01). In summation age-related alterations in sweet and salty taste perception were observed in the elderly and dietary intakes of the elderly see to be influenced by these taste perception changes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.531-541
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to determine factors affecting detection threshold and the optimally-preferred concentration for sweet taste, since investigation into factors decreasing sensitivity or increasing preference for sweet taste is important to prevent overconsumption of simple sugar. Subjects were 70 first-grade middle school students in the Gyeonggi-Do. The detection threshold concentration of sucrose solution and the optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly were determined by sensory evaluation. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain the information regarding health-related lifestyle practices, dietary habits, preference for and eating frequency of Westernized foods and frequencies of eating foods other than home-made. The detection threshold concentration of sucrose solution and the optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly of the subjects were 0.204% and 14.44%, respectively. Subjects who exercise less (< 30 minutes/week except PE class), skipping meals (${\geq}$ 3/week), type of breakfast rather than traditional Korean meal and frequent eating out and buying foods from school tuck-shop tended to have higher sweet taste threshold. There was significant positive correlation between the sucrose threshold concentration and fried chicken preference or eating frequency of hamburger. Those who exercise less (< 30 minutes/week except PE class) did have significantly higher optimally-preferred sweetness of omija jelly, which tended to be higher in the subjects who had more (${\geq}$ 4 out of 10) behavioral or psychological stress symptoms and who had early getting-up time (before 7 am). There was significant positive correlations between the optimally-preferred sweetness of omija jelly and pizza preference, instant noodle eating frequency or sum of eating frequencies of five fast foods. From the results of this study, it was suggested that middle school students should make efforts to stop skipping meals, exercise more, eat Korean traditional breakfast and reduce the frequencies of eating out and using instant/fast foods in order to prevent overconsumption simple sugar.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.425-430
• /
• 1990

The taste describing terms of Monosodium glutamate(MSG) was surveyed by questionnaires, and the sensory threshold value of MSG solution was compared to those of other basic taste substances. The effects of MSG addition to the other basic tastes were also evaluated. From the 96 responders, the taste of MSG itself was expressed as greasy(58%) or nauseous(24%), but the taste expected when MSG was added to food was expressed as sapidity and relish(79%). From the sensory evaluation, the panel expressed greasy, bitter or sweet at the absolute threshold level(0.002 M) of MSG solution, but changed to greasy and salty at the recognition threshold level(0.006 M). When MSG was added to salt solution, it expanded the salty taste, but with citric acid solution it suppressed the sourness. When MSG was added to sugar solution, it expanded sweet taste at the lower concentration of MSG(0.01 M), but suppressed the sweet taste as MSG concentration increased.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.127-131
• /
• 2001

The authors performed the taste threshold tests in two patients complaining taste problem who visited the Department of Oral Diagnosis, Seoul National University Dental Hospital. The taste thresholds were determined using a concentration series of five tastants, sucrose ( sweet ), NaCl ( salty ), citric acid ( sour ), quinine hydrochloride ( bitter ) and monosodium glutamate ( umami ). The taste solutions were diluted by half quarter logarithmic steps. The two patients showed higher taste thresholds level than normal but the taste threshold results did not coincide with the patients appeal. Further researches are needed for developing simple and precise diagnostic methods which can be applied to the patients with taste disorder.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.749-757
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between salivary flow, palate recognition threshold, DMFT index and oral health influence point (OHIP-14) of the adults over 40 years old. Methods : Salivary flow and taste recognition threshold were measured in 220 adults over 40 years old from three dental clinics in Daegu from January 3 to February 4, 2012. A total of 208 questionnaires were analyzed. Results : The adults recognized the sour taste in low concentration level when the salivary flow was faster. DMFT index was low in those who recognized sweet and sour taste that affected OHIP-14. Conclusions : Tooth decaying food must be restricted because of its high acidity in the past despite the individuals' taste recognition threshold was neglected. Before the diet control, it is necessary to measure the taste threshold of the individuals. Training for improving salivary flow is very important to prevent dental caries and to preserve good taste.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.780-787
• /
• 2017

The consumption of high-salt foods is an independent risk factor for increased hypertension. Thus, evaluating the relationship of taste sensitivity and pleasantness of high-salt foods such as Korean jang products, would help contribute to an understanding of salty food eating behaviors of the Korean rural elderly. This study aimed to verify the association between taste sensitivity and salinity of Korean jang products, and the preferences of food groups and nutrient intake in the rural elderly. We studied 269 elderly persons (males 83, females 186) aged above 65 years, residing in the rural area, Sunchang gun Jeonbuk. For each subject, a recognition threshold of 4 basic tastes and pleasant concentrations of NaCl were estimated using the sip- and-spit method. Taste preferences, frequency of intake of food groups, nutrient intakes, and salinity and sweetness of Korean jang products (Doenjang, Ganjang, Gochujang) were assessed. No association was found between salt taste recognition threshold and optimally preferred concentration of salt and salinity of Korean jang products. However, the sweet taste recognition threshold was positively related to the sweetness of Korean jang products. Also, the salinity of Doenjang positively correlated with the frequencies of food groups and nutrient intakes. That is to say that the sweet taste sensitivity was related to the sweetness of Korean jang products, but was not sensitive to the salty taste. The salinity of Doenjang correlated with the consumption of food and nutrient intakes. Taken together, these findings suggest the need for appropriate intervention and education to reduce the salinity of Doenjang, which is an important modifiable factor contributing to reducing sodium intake in the rural elderly.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.670-678
• /
• 2010

Recognition thresholds for NaCl, sucrose, citric acid, and caffeine, as well as the pleasant concentration of NaCl were assessed in 176 males and 312 females aged 50-88 years. Furthermore, relationships among taste sensitivities, taste preferences, and lifestyles were examined. The taste solutions were presented one after the other in ascending order using the sip-and-spit method. For the recognition thresholds of the 4 basic tastes, women perceived significantly lower concentrations than the men. However, the pleasant concentration of NaCl did not show a gender difference. Sensitivities for the 4 basic tastes did not decrease with age in the men, but they did significantly decrease with age for the women, especially for those above 70 years. For men, regular exercise was positively correlated with sensitivities for sour taste and bitter taste, and physical activity was negatively correlated with the pleasant concentrations of NaCl. For women, who had more physical activity, sensitivities for sweet taste and sour taste were lower compared to the others. This study indicates that the sensitivities for 4 basic tastes in water diminished with age, but pleasant salt concentration did not change with age. Further research on pleasant NaCl concentration is required to determine factors affecting salt preference, in order to decrease salt intake in the elderly.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.455-467
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This study evaluated the correlation between taste function and spleen qi deficiency in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and compared subgroups of BMS (i.e., dysgeusia and non-dysgeusia subgroups). Methods: This study included 60 participants categorized into two groups: a BMS group and healthy control (HC) group. Taste threshold was measured within six levels using solutions of four basic taste qualities. Subjects' Oral Health Impact Profiles (OHIPs-14) and Spleen qi Deficiency Questionnaire (SQDQ) scores were analyzed. Results: Taste thresholds for sweet (sucrose) and salty (NaCl) tastes were significantly lower in the BMS group than in the HC group, but sour (citric acid) and bitter (quinine HCl) tastes showed no significant differences between groups. In the dysgeusia and non-dysgeusia subgroups, no significant differences in the four basic taste thresholds were found. SQDQ scores were significantly higher in the BMS group compared to the HC and in the dysgeusia group compared to the non-dysgeusia group. OHIPs-14 and SQDQ scores for the BMS group were significantly and positively correlated. Conclusions: Spleen qi deficiency is related to taste function and can be used to treat BMS patients with taste dysfunction.