Umami taste—a novel mechanism driving food intake and obesity

Taste is influenced by several factors. However, whether habitual exercise level is associated with differences in taste perception has received little investigation. The aim of this study was to determine if habitual exercise is associated with differences in taste perception in men. Active (n = 16) and inactive (n = 14) males, between ages 18–55, underwent two days of sensory testing, using prototypical taste stimuli of high and low concentrations for sweet, salt, bitter, sour, umami, and carbohydrate (maltodextrin). Mean perceived intensity and hedonic ratings were recorded. Eating behaviour was assessed by the three factor eating questionnaire and food intake by EPIC food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). There were moderate to large differences between the two groups in perceived intensity for sweet taste at the high concentration and umami taste at both high and low concentrations, with active males recording a higher perceived intensity (p < 0.05 for all). The active group also recorded a greater dislike for umami low and carbohydrate low concentration (p < 0.01). Salt, bitter and sour perception did not significantly differ between the two groups. FFQ analysis showed no difference in % energy from macronutrients between the groups. Eating behaviour traits correlated with sweet taste intensity and umami taste liking, independent of activity status. Results indicated that sweet and umami taste perception differ in active compared to inactive males. Habitual exercise level should be considered in taste perception research and in product development. Whether differences in taste perception could be one factor influencing food intake and thus energy balance with habitual exercise warrants further investigation.

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Toll-like receptor 4 mediates fat, sugar, and umami taste preference and food intake and body weight regulation

Obesity ◽

10.1002/oby.21871 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 1237-1245 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Simonetta Camandola ◽

Mark P. Mattson

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Food Intake ◽

Taste Preference ◽

Weight Regulation ◽

Body Weight Regulation ◽

Toll Like Receptor ◽

Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽

Umami Taste

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Obesity and adiposity: the culprit of dietary protein efficacy

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20190583 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (4) ◽

pp. 389-401

Author(s):

Carla El-Mallah ◽

Omar Obeid

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Physiological Mechanism ◽

Short Term ◽

The Past ◽

Body Adiposity ◽

Reduce Sugar ◽

Eye Opening ◽

Potential Strategy ◽

Limitations And Exceptions

Abstract Obesity and increased body adiposity have been alarmingly increasing over the past decades and have been linked to a rise in food intake. Many dietary restrictive approaches aiming at reducing weight have resulted in contradictory results. Additionally, some policies to reduce sugar or fat intake were not able to decrease the surge of obesity. This suggests that food intake is controlled by a physiological mechanism and that any behavioural change only leads to a short-term success. Several hypotheses have been postulated, and many of them have been rejected due to some limitations and exceptions. The present review aims at presenting a new theory behind the regulation of energy intake, therefore providing an eye-opening field for energy balance and a potential strategy for obesity management.

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Modifications in food intake, leptin and CCK postprandial levels after Gastric Banding for morbid obesity

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)81038-6 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A209-A209

Author(s):

M LUCA ◽

E CERVELLIN ◽

F GALEAZZI ◽

D LANARO ◽

L BUSETTO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morbid Obesity ◽

Food Intake ◽

Gastric Banding

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Therapeutic potential of retrograde gastric pacing for the treatment of obesity: A reduction in food intake without gastrointestinal symptoms

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)81037-4 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A209-A209

Author(s):

T UENO ◽

J CHEN

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Gastric Pacing ◽

Treatment Of Obesity

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Interaction of GLP-1 with gastric distension in regulating food intake and satiety in humans

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)81036-2 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A208-A208

Author(s):

L DEGEN ◽

D MATZINGER ◽

B FISCHER ◽

F ZIMMERLI ◽

M KNUPP ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Gastric Distension

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Dietary intake of tryptophan tied emotion-related impulsivity in humans

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000608 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Florian Javelle ◽

Descartes Li ◽

Philipp Zimmer ◽

Sheri L. Johnson

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Food Intake ◽

Essential Amino Acid ◽

Food Habits ◽

Psychological Disorder ◽

Serotonin Synthesis ◽

Amino Acid Tryptophan ◽

Pass Through ◽

Three Factor

Abstract. Emotion-related impulsivity, defined as the tendency to say or do things that one later regret during periods of heightened emotion, has been tied to a broad range of psychopathologies. Previous work has suggested that emotion-related impulsivity is tied to an impaired function of the serotonergic system. Central serotonin synthesis relies on the intake of the essential amino acid, tryptophan and its ability to pass through the blood brain barrier. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between emotion-related impulsivity and tryptophan intake. Methods: Undergraduate participants (N = 25, 16 women, 9 men) completed a self-rated measure of impulsivity (Three Factor Impulsivity Index, TFI) and daily logs of their food intake and exercise. These data were coded using the software NutriNote to evaluate intakes of tryptophan, large neutral amino acids, vitamins B6/B12, and exercise. Results: Correlational analyses indicated that higher tryptophan intake was associated with significantly lower scores on two out of three subscales of the TFI, Pervasive Influence of Feelings scores r = –.502, p < . 010, and (lack-of) Follow-Through scores, r = –.407, p < . 050. Conclusion: Findings provide further evidence that emotion-related impulsivity is correlated to serotonergic indices, even when considering only food habits. It also suggests the need for more research on whether tryptophan supplements might be beneficial for impulsive persons suffering from a psychological disorder.

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Food-Evoked Changes in Humans

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Peter Walla ◽

Maria Richter ◽

Stella Färber ◽

Ulrich Leodolter ◽

Herbert Bauer

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Startle Response ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Soft Drink ◽

Ice Cream ◽

Response Amplitude ◽

Response Modulation ◽

Motivational States ◽

Localization Analysis ◽

Study Participants

Two experiments investigate effects related to food intake in humans. In Experiment 1, we measured startle response modulation while study participants ate ice cream, yoghurt, and chocolate. Statistical analysis revealed that ice cream intake resulted in the most robust startle inhibition compared to no food. Contrasting females and males, we found significant differences related to the conditions yoghurt and chocolate. In females, chocolate elicited the lowest response amplitude followed by yoghurt and ice cream. In males, chocolate produced the highest startle response amplitude even higher than eating nothing, whereas ice cream produced the lowest. Assuming that high response amplitudes reflect aversive motivation while low response amplitudes reflect appetitive motivational states, it is interpreted that eating ice cream is associated with the most appetitive state given the alternatives of chocolate and yoghurt across gender. However, in females alone eating chocolate, and in males alone eating ice cream, led to the most appetitive state. Experiment 2 was conducted to describe food intake-related brain activity by means of source localization analysis applied to electroencephalography data (EEG). Ice cream, yoghurt, a soft drink, and water were compared. Brain activity in rostral portions of the superior frontal gyrus was found in all conditions. No localization differences between conditions occurred. While EEG was found to be insensitive, startle response modulation seems to be a reliable method to objectively quantify motivational states related to the intake of different foods.

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