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Taste–nutrient relationships in commonly consumed foods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2011

Mirre Viskaal van Dongen*
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EVWageningen, The Netherlands
Marjolijn C. van den Berg
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EVWageningen, The Netherlands
Nicole Vink
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EVWageningen, The Netherlands
Frans J. Kok
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EVWageningen, The Netherlands
Cees de Graaf
Affiliation:
Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, PO Box 8129, 6700 EVWageningen, The Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author: M. Viskaal van Dongen, email mirre.viskaal-vandongen@wur.nl
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Abstract

Taste is expected to represent a food's nutrient content. The objective was to investigate whether taste acts as nutrient-sensor, within the context of the current diet, which is high in processed foods. Intensities of the five basic tastes of fifty commonly consumed foods were rated by nineteen subjects (aged 21·0 (sd 1·7) years, BMI 21·5 (sd 2·0) kg/m2). Linear regression was used to test associations between taste and nutrient contents. Food groups based on taste were identified using cluster analysis; nutrient content was compared between food groups, using ANOVA. Sweetness was associated with mono- and disaccharides (R2 0·45, P < 0·01). Saltiness and savouriness were correlated, with r 0·92 (P < 0·01) and both were associated with Na (both: R2 0·33, P < 0·01) and protein (R2 0·27, P < 0·01 and R2 0·33, P < 0·01, respectively). Cluster analysis indicated four food groups: neutral, salty and savoury, sweet–sour and sweet foods. Mono- and disaccharide content was highest in sweet foods (P < 0·01). In salty and savoury foods, protein content (P = 0·01 with sweet–sour foods, not significant with neutral or sweet foods) and Na content (P < 0·05) were the highest. Associations were more pronounced in raw and moderately processed foods, than in highly processed foods. The findings suggest that sweetness, saltiness and savouriness signal nutrient content, particularly for simple sugars, protein and Na. In highly processed foods, however, the ability to sense nutrient content based on taste seems limited.

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Type
Full Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011
Figure 0

Table 1 Concentrations of the reference solutions and the perceived taste intensity of the reference solutions, judged by nineteen subjects(Mean values and standard deviations)

Figure 1

Fig. 1 The mean sweetness and saltiness intensity ratings of fifty food items and the five reference solutions. * Raw or moderately processed foods.

Figure 2

Fig. 2 The (a) associations between sweetness and mono- and disaccharide content (with R2 0·71 (P < 0·01) for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, black line), and with R2 0·42 (P < 0·01) for highly processed foods (○, dotted line)) and the (b) associations between sweetness and protein content (with no significant association for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, ), and with R2 0·14 (P = 0·04) for highly processed foods (○, )).

Figure 3

Fig. 3 The (a) associations between saltiness and sodium content (with R2 0·51 (P < 0·01) for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, black line), and with R2 0·29 (P < 0·01) for highly processed foods (○, dotted line)) and the (b) associations between saltiness and protein content (with R2 0·63 (P < 0·01) for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, ), and with R2 0·25 (P < 0·01) for highly processed foods (○, )).

Figure 4

Fig. 4 The (a) associations between savouriness and sodium content (with R2 0·37 (P = 0·02) for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, black line), and with R2 0·34 (P < 0·01) for highly processed foods (○, dotted line)) and the (b) associations between savouriness and protein content (with R2 0·64 (P < 0·01) for raw and moderately processed foods (▲, ), and with R2 0·31 (P < 0·01) for highly processed foods (○, )).

Figure 5

Table 2 Food groups, assessed with cluster analysis using the five taste intensities, and their mean taste intensity ratings and nutrient composition*(Mean values and standard deviations)