The aim of this study is to investigate whether differences in taste perception and preference behavior can be attributed to inflammatory processes induced by physical activity. The focus will be on sweet taste and the perception of fat. A non-invasive, observational study design will be used.
This study adresses the question of whether there is a connection between low-grade inflammation caused by physical activity and a change in taste perception and preference for the sweet taste. The taste perception, preference behavior and inflammation in athletic and healthy non-athletic subjects using an observational study design is investigated. The hypothesis is that athletic test subjects, compared to healthy, physically inactive subjects, show increased inflammation values, in the range of a low-grade inflammation, and that this results in a lower sensitivity and increased preference for sweet taste. The primary parameters to be investigated are a possible correlation between the level of physical activity physical activity or body composition and the recognition threshold for the sweet taste as well as the preference. In addition, a correlation between the concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 in saliva sweet recognition threshold and sweet preference will be investigated. Secondary parameters to be analyzed are the preference for fatty substances, the perception threshold for the perception threshold for the fatty taste, taste receptors in saliva for the sweet and fatty taste, the concentration of 8-epi-PGF2α in the urine as a marker for oxidative stress, and the number of fungiform papillae on the tongue are determined.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
64
The control and the athletic group differ in the degree of physical acitvity
Christian Doppler Laboratory for Taste Research
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Taste sensitivity
detection threshold for sweet and fatty taste analysed using a 3-AFC test
Time frame: day 1
Taste preference
preference for sweet and fatty taste analyzed by means of a Food Frequency Questionnaire and food choices from a standardized breakfast
Time frame: day 1
Body composition
body fat percentage
Time frame: day 1
Low-grade inflammation
Concentration of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in unstimulated saliva
Time frame: day 1
Oxidative Stress
8-epi-PGF2α analysis in urine
Time frame: day 1
fungiform papillae density
The number of fungiform papillae in a definded area of 1 cm² at the tip of the tongue is counted after staining of the tomgue with methylene blute
Time frame: day 1
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