Sweetener preference among non-institutionalized older adults

The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of a group of older adults to distinguish between a new artificial sweetener (Sweet One) and sucrose and to determine a sweetener preference among older adults. Participants (n = 112), 56-90 yrs. sampled a plain low-fat blended cottage cheese and iced tea sweetened with either sucrose or Sweet One arranged in a triangle test format. Participants also sampled four low-fat vanilla puddings sweetened with sucrose, Equal, Sweet'n Low, and Sweet One and ranked them according to preference. Results show participants are able to tell the difference between sucrose and the new artificial sweetener Sweet One in the iced tea drinks. Rank order results show this sample preferred Equal and sucrose as sweeteners. The ability to taste sweetness remains high in aging. Enhancing sweetness without added calories would aid nutritional well being of the elderly.