Sweetener preference among non-institutionalized older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sensory Science
• Nutrition

Background:

• Aging can affect taste perception and dietary choices.
• Artificial sweeteners offer calorie-free sweetening options.
• Understanding older adults' sensory perception is crucial for dietary recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess older adults' ability to differentiate a novel artificial sweetener (Sweet One) from sucrose.
• To identify sweetener preferences among the older adult population.

Main Methods:

• A triangle test was used to evaluate taste discrimination between Sweet One and sucrose in beverages.
• Participants ranked vanilla puddings sweetened with sucrose, Equal, Sweet'n Low, and Sweet One.

Main Results:

• Older adults could distinguish Sweet One from sucrose in iced tea.
• Preference rankings indicated a preference for Equal and sucrose over other tested sweeteners.
• The study suggests taste acuity for sweetness is well-preserved in aging.

Conclusions:

• Sensory perception of sweetness remains robust in older adults.
• Calorie-free sweetening options can support the nutritional well-being of the elderly.
• Further research into sweetener acceptance and preferences in aging populations is warranted.