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Evaluating the association between alcohol sweetness preference, alcohol harm, and alcohol value
Alexandra N Johansen1, Samuel F Acuff2, Justin C Strickland3
1Department of Psychology, Davidson College.
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
|December 2, 2024
Summary
Individuals preferring less sweet alcoholic drinks consume more alcohol weekly. Sweet taste preference in alcohol may influence drinking patterns throughout life, impacting alcohol use disorder risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Psychology
Background:
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a widespread condition influenced by numerous risk factors.
- Existing research indicates a potential link between a preference for sweet tastes and increased alcohol consumption and related harms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the initial alcohol consumption experiences of individuals.
- To examine the relationship between sweet taste preferences and long-term drinking behaviors.
- To assess the connection between sweet taste preferences and behavioral economic indicators.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory study involving 277 participants recruited via Prolific.
- Assessment of participants' first alcohol exposure, current and past drinking habits, alcohol demand, and delay discounting.
- Analysis of taste preferences for alcohol beverages.
Main Results:
- Participants preferring less sweet alcohol beverages reported higher weekly alcohol consumption.
- A trend indicated decreasing alcohol consumption with shifts from sweet to less sweet preferences, and lowest consumption among consistent sweet preference reporters.
- Similar patterns were observed for alcohol use disorder symptom counts and alcohol demand intensity.
Conclusions:
- Sweet taste preferences in alcohol consumption appear to be a significant factor influencing drinking patterns across the lifespan.
- Findings suggest that common preclinical research methods using sucrose may not accurately reflect the development of chronic, problematic drinking behaviors in humans.
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