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Evaluation of gustatory function in postmenopausal women.
C Delilbasi1, T Cehiz, U K Akal
1Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. delilbasi@hotmail.com
British Dental Journal
|June 5, 2003
Summary
Postmenopausal women experience reduced taste perception, particularly on the palate, and a tendency to prefer sweeter foods. This study highlights changes in gustatory function during menopause.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Menopause is associated with hormonal changes that may impact sensory functions.
- Gustatory function, or the sense of taste, can be influenced by aging and hormonal shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the gustatory function in postmenopausal women.
- To assess taste alterations and nutritional differences in relation to menopause.
Main Methods:
- Administered whole mouth and spatial taste tests to 20 postmenopausal women and 20 age-matched males.
- Conducted subjective assessments of taste changes and dietary habits.
Main Results:
- Postmenopausal women showed significantly reduced sucrose perception and palatal sensitivity (p<0.05).
- Only 35% of women reported noticing taste alterations, and 45% reported dietary habit changes post-menopause.
Conclusions:
- Taste perception on the tongue remains unchanged, but palatal perception is impaired in postmenopausal women.
- Menopause is linked to a preference for sweeter foods and altered palatal sensitivity.