• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.267-274
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• 2016

Increasing sugar intake of population has become a nutritional issue in Korea. Sweet taste perception may be related to behaviors such as eating sweet food including high sugars and total sugar intake. This study aimed to evaluate objective and subjective sweet taste perception and the association among objective sweet taste perception, dietary behaviors related to eating sweet snack food including high sugar, and total sugar intake from the snacks. Participants were 261 healthy female college students (mean age: $21.0{\pm}1.6years$), who were divided into three subgroups based on oral sweet taste evaluation using a sweet taste assessment tool provided by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety: sweet-seeker group (n=139), medium sweet-seeker group (n=54), and unsweet-seeker group (n=68). There was no significant difference in weight and body mass index (BMI) among the three groups; however, the sweet-seeker group had significantly higher sweet taste preference than that of the other groups. Though more people in the sweet-seeker group thought they tended to eat sweet foods than the medium sweet-seeker and unsweet-seeker groups, over half of the sweet-seekers did not think they tended to eat sweet foods. The sweet-seeker group was more likely to eat sweet snacks such as breads, chocolate products, sugar-sweetened milk, and so on than the unsweet-seeker group. Total sugar intake from the selected sweet snacks was 44.4 g for the sweet-seeker group, 34.4 g for the medium sweet-seeker group, and 28.0 g for the unsweet-seeker group with a significant difference. These results indicated the absence of relationship between objective sweet taste perception and the obesity index; however, significant associations were detected among objective sweet taste perception, eating sweet snacks and total sugar intake from the snacks. We also found high disagreement between objective and subjective sweet taste perception of the subjects. The present study provided the novel insight that measuring objective sweet taste perception may be useful for assessing the risk of high sugar consumption and undesirable dietary behaviors.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.12-23
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• 2017

Gustation, initiated by the detection of taste molecules by specific receptors expressed in taste cells, plays an essential role in food selection and consequently in overall nutrition for humans. In the past decade, a remarkable amount of knowledge of taste perception in the neurology, molecular biology, and genetics has emerged, particularly in basic tastes- sweet, bitter, sour, salt and umami. Among them, sweet, bitter and umami are recognized via the specific G-protein coupled receptors. Salt and sour are primarily mediated by apically located ion channel-type receptors. Because excessive salt or sugar consumption leads to high rates of diet-associated diseases and it comes from eating prepared or processed foods, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms in salt and sweet perception is crucial in food industry. This review will focus on recent progress of the perception of salt and sweet taste to provide basic knowledge for reducing salt and sugar consumption.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

This study examined the sweet taste perception, perception of sugar reduction, and utilization of nutrition labeling according to the awareness of the self-perceived sugar intake reduction of university students in Chungbuk Area. The subjects (n=419) were divided into two groups: Awareness of Sugar Intake Reduction (ASIR) group, male=110, female=109; Non Awareness of Sugar Intake Reduction (NASIR) group, male=115, female=85. The overweight/obesity was significantly higher in the ASIR group than in the NASIR group for both male and female students. The sweet taste perception was significantly lower in the ASIR group in male students than in the NASIR group. The purchase level of a product with reduced sugar instead of the original products was significantly higher in the ASIR group in male students than the NASIR group. Beverage purchases after identifying the sugar content were significantly higher in the ASIR group in male students than in the NASIR group. The necessity of nutrition labeling education was significantly higher in the ASIR group both male and female students. Based on these results, the correct perception of sugar reduction and continuous and practical nutrition education of sugar intake reduction need to maintain healthy dietary habits in university students.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.49-52
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• 2009

Perception of sweet compounds is important for animals to detect external carbohydrate source of calories and plays a crucial role in feeding behavior of animals. Recent progress in molecular genetic studies provides evidence for a candidate receptor (heterodimers with taste receptor type 1 member 2 and 3: T1R2/T1R3), and major downstream transduction molecules required for sweet taste signaling. Several studies demonstrated that the sweet taste signal can be modulated by a satiety hormone, leptin, through its receptors expressed in a subset of sweet-sensitive taste cells. Increase of internal energy storage in the adipose tissue leads to increase in the plasma leptin level which can reduce activities of sweet-sensitive cells. In human, thus, diurnal variation of plasma leptin level parallels variation of taste recognition thresholds for sweet compounds. This leptin modulation of sweet taste sensitivity may influence individuals' preference, ingestive behavior, and absorption of nutrients, thereby plays important roles in regulation of energy homeostasis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.995-1008
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• 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 the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.143-152
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• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.546-554
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of sugar reduction, nutrition education, and frequency of snacking in children according to the self-perceived dietary preferences for sweet taste by mothers in Busan. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 277 mothers were surveyed, and their perceptions of sugar reduction and the frequency of snacking in children were assessed using a questionnaire. The subjects were classified into either a sweet (n = 91) or an unsweet (n = 186) group according to their self-perceived preferences for a sweet taste. RESULTS: In the sweet group, the results for sweet products were sweetened ice (86.8%), confectionery (74.7%), processed milk (73.6%), carbonated beverages (71.4%), and fermented milk (53.9%). In the unsweet group, the results were sweetened ice (88.7%), carbonated beverages (78.5%), processed milk (75.8%), confectionery (69.4%), and fermented milk (50.5%). The necessity of sugar intake reduction was high in both groups (sweet = 89.0%, unsweet = 82.8%). Beverage purchases after identifying the nutrition labeling was significantly lower in the sweet group than in the unsweet group (P < 0.05). The reasons for the beverage purchases instead of water were "habitually" (50.5%) and "like sweet taste" (25.3%) in the sweet group (P < 0.01). Snacking in children was significantly higher in the sweet group based on the increased frequencies of carbonated drinks (P < 0.01), fast food (P < 0.001), candy and chocolate (P < 0.05), crackers (P < 0.01), ramen (P < 0.01), and fish paste/hotdogs (P < 0.01). The frequency of purchase education after identifying the nutrition labeling was significantly lower in the sweet group than in the unsweet group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a perception of sugar reduction and practical nutrition education aimed at reducing the sugar intake are necessary to improve dietary habits.

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

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Taste perception is influenced by both nutritional factors and psychological factors. This study was undertaken to measure the 4 basic taste perceptions, nutrient intake, and mental health, and to examine the factors that affect insensitive taste perception in young Japanese women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Young women in their late teens and twenties were enrolled as subjects. Taste perception was measured by applying the filter-paper disc method over areas of the chorda tympani nerve. Nutritional status was evaluated using brief, self-administered diet history questionnaires. The index of nutritional status was based on the 2015 Japanese dietary reference intakes. Mental health was assessed using the Japanese translation of the Profile of Mood States short version. This study was approved by the ethical committee at Osaka University. RESULTS: The normal taste perception group (four basic tastes [sweet, salty, sour, and bitter] identified as normal taste perception) comprised 55.4% of the subjects, while the abnormal taste perception group (more than 1 abnormal taste perception was perceived, regardless of flavor) comprised 44.6% of the subjects. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake (except manganese) and mental health between the normal and abnormal taste perception groups. Subjects who took 5 mg to less than 7.1 mg zinc per day were at significantly decreased risk of insensitive taste perception compared to subjects who consumed less than 5 mg zinc per day [Regression coefficient 0.831, 95% confidence interval 0.694-0.996]. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that insensitive taste perception could be associated with zinc deficiency in young women in their late teens and twenties.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.388-393
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• 1998

This study was conducted to compare the perception and the criteria for tasty Kimchi between Korean focus group and American focus group. The perception of taste of Kimchi by American focus group was rather simple than that of Korean focus group. American focus group considered spicy, sweet and crunchy properties as the most desirable characteristics of Kimchi. Besides that properties, Korean focus group considered complicated characteristic taste, e.g. a combination of hot, sour, savory, salty, sweet and fresh taste and refreshing properties as essential factor in tasty Kimchi. Korean focus group had more peculiar descriptors in taste and American in mouthfeel and texture.