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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
Sucrose taste thresholds: age-related differences
Abstract:
Sucrose taste detection thresholds were measured in 71 adults aged 20 to 88 years. A forced-choice, tracking procedure was used to eliminate subject response bias and rinses were included between all stimuli. A significant age-related decrease in sensitivity was observed. However, the loss of sensitivity was not great and elderly people had highly variable thresholds. A similar study on salt taste acuity has been reported from this laboratory demonstrating a small, but statistically significant threshold increment with age. The observation that age-related differences in taste sensitivity are not large is consistent with biological information that taste bud cells are continuously replaced in adult mammals.
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