Food acceptance and anthropometry in relation to 6-n-propylthiouracil sensitivity in Japanese college women

Differences in anthropometry and food acceptance among tasters and non-tasters of 6-n-propylthiouracil has been well studied in Western countries. However, reports on this issue from Asian countries are still limited.

Healthy Japanese students attending Nara Women's University (n=153) were recruited and classified into 3 groups based on taste sensitivity to a 0.32 mM 6-npropylthiouracil solution as scored on a labeled magnitude scale. Accordingly, the study population consisted of 34 non-tasters, 78 medium-tasters, and 41 super-tasters. Self-reported food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Self-reported food preferences were established using a food checklist listing 63 food items.

Although subjects in the 6-n-propylthiouracil non-taster group showed a significantly higher body height and weight than subjects in the taster groups, body mass index was comparable among three groups. Intakes of calories, 3 macronutrients, β-carotene and vitamin C did not differ significantly between groups, but the intake of green and yellow vegetables was significantly lower in the taster groups. Among the 5 factors defined by a factor analysis performed with 277 age- and BMI-matched Japanese female students, the taster groups showed a significantly reduced preference for green and cruciferous vegetables alone.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report investigating associations between anthropometry, food intake, and food preference in relation to 6-n-propylthiouracil sensitivity in Asian countries. The effect of this tendency towards an aversion to vegetables including cruciferous ones among females on living a healthy life remains to be investigated.