Variations in basic taste perception and body mass index.

Abstract

Introduction: One effective factor is a person`s sense of taste. This study compared the taste perception of dental students with different body mass index (BMI).

Methods and materials: In this cross-sectional study, 100 dental students aged 21 to 25 years were evaluated. Participants were assessed on three BMI groups people, normal weight (BMI < 25) (kg/m²), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30) (kg/m²), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) (kg/m²). Taste perception was measured using four different concentrations of basic tastes. The taste perception was measured using swabs impregnated with 4 different concentrations of the four main tastes studied on the protruded tongue. Subjects were asked to inform the researcher when they sensed the taste. Statistical analysis of the results was obtained using the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < 0.05).

Results: Of the participants, 54% were male and 46% were female, 71 people had normal weight, 23 people were overweight, and 6 were obese people. There are significant differences in taste threshold scores of main tastes except salty between genders for BMI groups (p-value < 0.05). The present study showed a significant difference in bitter and sour taste according to the BMI group. There was a significant difference between the taste perception and BMI group in sweet and bitter tastes in women. There was a significant difference in the sour taste perception and BMI group in men.

Conclusion: Our results would present important insights into taste perception. The BMI may influence how sourness and bitterness are perceived. There was a noticeable difference in women's sweet and bitter taste perception based on BMI.

Trial registration number: Not applicable.