Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Measuring Oral Fatty Acid Thresholds, Fat Perception, Fatty Food Liking, and Papillae Density in Humans
Published on: June 4, 2014
Carbohydrate Taste Sensitivity Is Associated with Starch Intake and Waist Circumference in Adults
Julia Yq Low1, Kathleen E Lacy2, Robert L McBride1
1Centre for Advanced Sensory Science, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia; and.
Abstract:
Background: Recent studies have proposed that humans may perceive complex carbohydrates and that sensitivity to simple carbohydrates is independent of sensitivity to complex carbohydrates. Variation in oral complex carbohydrate sensitivity may influence food consumption.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between oral complex carbohydrate sensitivity, anthropometry, and dietary intake in adults.Methods: We assessed oral sensitivity to complex carbohydrates (maltodextrin and oligofructose) by measuring detection thresholds (DTs) and suprathreshold intensity perceptions (STs) for 34 participants, including 16 men (mean ± SEM age : 26.2 ± 0.4 y; range: 24-30 y) and 18 women (age: 29.4 ± 2.1 y; range: 24-55 y). We also measured height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) and participants completed a 4-d food diary and a food-frequency questionnaire.Results: Measurements of oral sensitivity to complex carbohydrates were significantly correlated with WC and dietary energy and starch intakes (DT: r = -0.38, P < 0.05; ST: r = 0.36-0.48, P < 0.05). When participants were grouped into tertiles, there were significant differences in WC and total energy or starch intakes for those who were more sensitive or experienced high intensity compared with those who were less sensitive or experienced low intensity. Being more sensitive or experiencing high intensity was associated with greater energy (7968-8954 kJ/d) and starch (29.1-29.8% of energy) intakes and a greater WC (88.2-91.4 cm) than was being less sensitive or experiencing low intensity (6693-7747 kJ/d, 20.9-22.2% of energy, and 75.5-80.5 cm, respectively).Conclusion: Complex carbohydrate sensing is associated with WC and consumption of complex carbohydrates and energy in adults. This trial was registered at anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12616001356459.
More Related Videos
08:52Psychophysical Tracking Method to Assess Taste Detection Thresholds in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: The Taste Detection Threshold TDT Test
Published on: April 21, 2021
09:17Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Carbohydrates: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Carbohydrate Absorption
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...
Conditioned Taste Aversion
A notable characteristic of conditioned taste aversion is that it often requires only a single...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications