Sensory evaluations of fat-sucrose and fat-salt mixtures: relationship to age and weight status

Young (mean age 22.4 years) and elderly (mean age 82.3 years) subjects tasted and rated a range of liquids containing between 0.5% and 36% dairy fat by weight. The liquids also contained either sucrose (0-20%) or NaCl (0-0.584%). Within each age group both normal weight and overweight subjects participated. The fat content in the mixtures was unrelated to pleasantness ratings for elderly subjects. The concentrations of both fat and sucrose in the mixtures determined the hedonic responses of young normal weight subjects. Overweight young subjects' hedonic responses were predominantly influenced by sucrose concentration. Fat content in dairy-salt mixtures was significantly related to pleasantness ratings by young subjects, but did not influence ratings by elderly subjects. These findings suggest that the elderly can significantly reduce dietary fat intake without sacrificing perceived pleasantness.