Bitter taste perception and dietary intake patterns in irish children.

Background/aims: Variations in bitter receptor gene TAS2R38 affect the perception of bitter-tasting compound 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). The perception of PROP has been associated, in some reports, with the perception of fat and sweet tastes, and various food preferences and intakes. The aim was to investigate nutrient intakes and food patterns in a group of Irish children, using K-means cluster analysis, and compare these with TAS2R38 genotype and PROP taster status.

Methods: Dietary intake was measured via a 3-day diet history in 483 children aged 7-13 years. Children were genotyped for TAS2R38 variation, and PROP taster status was assessed. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were also obtained.

Results: No differences were observed in macronutrient, micronutrient, or food group consumption between the TAS2R38 genotype and PROP taster groups. K-means cluster analysis identified two distinct dietary patterns, termed 'more healthful' and 'less healthful' clusters. The clusters did not differ in frequencies of TAS2R38 genotype nor PROP taster status groups, suggesting that dietary patterns are not influenced by bitter taste perception.

Conclusion: Bitterness perception, as measured by either TAS2R38 genotype or PROP taster status, does not appear to exert a significant effect on patterns of dietary intakes.