Nutr Res Pract.  2019 Feb;13(1):41-46. 10.4162/nrp.2019.13.1.41.

Association between taste perception, nutrient intake, and mental health in young Japanese women

• Okayama T
• Watanabe H

• KMID: 2434075
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2019.13.1.41

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Taste sensitivity; dietary intake; mental health; young women

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Chorda Tympani Nerve
Diet
Female
Humans
Mental Health*
Methods
Nutritional Status
Psychology
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Taste Perception*
Zinc
Zinc

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Distribution of normal/abnormal taste perception groups 1 abnormal taste: sweet taste or salty taste or sour taste or bitter taste 2 abnormal tastes: sweet taste and salty taste or sweet taste and sour taste or sweet taste and bitter taste or salty taste and bitter taste 3 abnormal tastes: sweet taste and salty taste and bitter taste or sweet taste and sour taste and bitter taste 4 abnormal tastes: all tastes

Reference

1. Drewnowski A. Taste preferences and food intake. Annu Rev Nutr. 1997; 17:237–253.

2. Garcia-Bailo B, Toguri C, Eny KM, El-Sohemy A. Genetic variation in taste and its influence on food selection. OMICS. 2009; 13:69–80.

3. Liu G, Zong G, Doty RL, Sun Q. Prevalence and risk factors of taste and smell impairment in a nationwide representative sample of the US population: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2016; 6:e013246.

4. Vennemann MM, Hummel T, Berger K. The association between smoking and smell and taste impairment in the general population. J Neurol. 2008; 255:1121–1126.

5. Ikeda M, Aiba T, Ikui A, Inokuchi A, Kurono Y, Sakagami M, Takeda N, Tomita H. Taste disorders: a survey of the examination methods and treatments used in Japan. Acta Otolaryngol. 2005; 125:1203–1210.

6. Ishida H, Takahashi H, Suzuki H, Hongo T, Suzuki T, Shidoji Y, Yoon KH. Interrelationship of some selected nutritional parameters relevant to taste for salt in a group of college-aged women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1985; 31:585–598.

7. Nagai A, Kubota M, Katayama Y, Kojima C. Evaluation of taste acuity by the filter-paper disc in Japanese young women: the relationship with micronutrients status. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2012; 21:406–410.

8. Negoro A, Umemoto M, Nin T, Fujii M, Sakagami M. Clinical experiences of the medication to taste disturbance by serum trace deficiency, especially serum iron deficiency. Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho. 2004; 107:188–194. [in Japanese].

9. Itoh I, Ikui A, Ikeda M, Tomita H, Souhei E. Taste disorder involving Hunter's glossitis following total gastrectomy. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 2002; 122:159–163.

10. Osaki T, Ohshima M, Tomita Y, Matsugi N, Nomura Y. Clinical and physiological investigations in patients with taste abnormality. J Oral Pathol Med. 1996; 25:38–43.

11. Coin A, Sergi G, Benincà P, Lupoli L, Cinti G, Ferrara L, Benedetti G, Tomasi G, Pisent C, Enzi G. Bone mineral density and body composition in underweight and normal elderly subjects. Osteoporos Int. 2000; 11:1043–1050.

12. Han Z, Mulla S, Beyene J, Liao G, McDonald SD. Knowledge Synthesis Group. Maternal underweight and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Int J Epidemiol. 2011; 40:65–101.

13. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The national health and nutrition survey in Japan, 2016 [Internet]. Tokyo: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare;2017. cited 2018 Nov 25. Available from: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kenkou/eiyou/dl/h28-houkoku.pdf. [in Japanese].

14. Barnes TL, French SA, Mitchell NR, Wolfson J. Fast-food consumption, diet quality and body weight: cross-sectional and prospective associations in a community sample of working adults. Public Health Nutr. 2016; 19:885–892.

15. Al'Absi M, Nakajima M, Hooker S, Wittmers L, Cragin T. Exposure to acute stress is associated with attenuated sweet taste. Psychophysiology. 2012; 49:96–103.

16. Karita K, Harada M, Yoshida M, Kokaze A. Factors associated with dietary habits and mood states affecting taste sensitivity in Japanese college women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2012; 58:360–365.

17. Harvey LJ, Armah CN, Dainty JR, Foxall RJ, John Lewis D, Langford NJ, Fairweather-Tait SJ. Impact of menstrual blood loss and diet on iron deficiency among women in the UK. Br J Nutr. 2005; 94:557–564.

18. Berling K, Knutsson J, Rosenblad A, von Unge M. Evaluation of electrogustometry and the filter paper disc method for taste assessment. Acta Otolaryngol. 2011; 131:488–493.

19. Tomita H, Ikeda M, Okuda Y. Basis and practice of clinical taste examinations. Auris Nasus Larynx. 1986; 13:Suppl 1. S1–S15.

20. Heckmann JG, Heckmann SM, Lang CJ, Hummel T. Neurological aspects of taste disorders. Arch Neurol. 2003; 60:667–671.

21. Kobayashi S, Murakami K, Sasaki S, Okubo H, Hirota N, Notsu A, Fukui M, Date C. Comparison of relative validity of food group intakes estimated by comprehensive and brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaires against 16 d dietary records in Japanese adults. Public Health Nutr. 2011; 14:1200–1211.

22. Kobayashi S, Honda S, Murakami K, Sasaki S, Okubo H, Hirota N, Notsu A, Fukui M, Date C. Both comprehensive and brief self-administered diet history questionnaires satisfactorily rank nutrient intakes in Japanese adults. J Epidemiol. 2012; 22:151–159.

23. Yokoyama K, Araki S, Kawakami N, Tkakeshita T. Production of the Japanese edition of profile of mood states (POMS): assessment of reliability and validity. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 1990; 37:913–918. [in Japanese].

24. Yokoyama K, Shimomitsu T, Nomura S. Shindan Shido Ni Ikasu POMS Jireishu. Tokyo: Kanekoshobo;2002. [in Japanese].

25. Donaldson LF, Bennett L, Baic S, Melichar JK. Taste and weight: is there a link? Am J Clin Nutr. 2009; 90:800S–803S.

26. McDaid O, Stewart-Knox B, Parr H, Simpson E. Dietary zinc intake and sex differences in taste acuity in healthy young adults. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2007; 20:103–110.

27. Ohnuki M, Shinada K, Ueno M, Zaitsu T, Wright FA, Kawaguchi Y. Exploring taste hyposensitivity in Japanese senior high school students. J Investig Clin Dent. 2012; 3:23–29.

28. Nakagawa M, Mizuma K, Inui T. Changes in taste perception following mental or physical stress. Chem Senses. 1996; 21:195–200.

29. Ileri-Gurel E, Pehlivanoglu B, Dogan M. Effect of acute stress on taste perception: in relation with baseline anxiety level and body weight. Chem Senses. 2013; 38:27–34.

30. Pasquet P, Frelut ML, Simmen B, Hladik CM, Monneuse MO. Taste perception in massively obese and in non-obese adolescents. Int J Pediatr Obes. 2007; 2:242–248.

31. Park DC, Yeo JH, Ryu IY, Kim SH, Jung J, Yeo SG. Differences in taste detection thresholds between normal-weight and obese young adults. Acta Otolaryngol. 2015; 135:478–483.

32. Ikeda M, Hirai R, Shigihara S, Ikui A. Taste disorders and zinc deficiency. Int J Oral-Med Sci. 2008; 6:105–111.

33. Pluhator MM, Thomson AB, Fedorak RN. Clinical aspects of trace elements: zinc in human nutrition - assessment of zinc status. Can J Gastroenterol. 1996; 10:37–42.

34. Kuga M, Ikeda M, Suzuki K. Gustatory changes associated with the menstrual cycle. Physiol Behav. 1999; 66:317–322.

35. Faas MM, Melgert BN, de Vos P. A brief review on how pregnancy and sex hormones interfere with taste and food intake. Chemosens Percept. 2010; 3:51–56.

36. Frye CA, Crystal S, Ward KD, Kanarek RB. Menstrual cycle and dietary restraint influence taste preferences in young women. Physiol Behav. 1994; 55:561–567.

37. Than TT, Delay ER, Maier ME. Sucrose threshold variation during the menstrual cycle. Physiol Behav. 1994; 56:237–239.

38. Amani R, Saeidi S, Nazari Z, Nematpour S. Correlation between dietary zinc intakes and its serum levels with depression scales in young female students. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010; 137:150–158.