Decreased sucrose preference in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

AIMS:

Increased sugar consumption may adversely affect glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Although patients with diabetes are generally thought to prefer sweet tastes, few data are available on the sucrose preference in these individuals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate sucrose preference in patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison with subjects without diabetes.

METHODS:

Sucrose preference was assessed in 200 subjects (100 type 2 diabetes patients and 100 age-, sex- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control subjects). Sucrose preference was evaluated together with sucrose perception (i.e., sucrose sensitivity). Clinical and biochemical factors affecting sucrose taste were also analyzed.

RESULTS:

Participants with type 2 diabetes preferred lower sucrose concentrations compared with control subjects (p=0.001), although they had a less sensitive palate for sucrose compared with subjects without diabetes (p=0.012). Individual sucrose preference demonstrated a negative relationship with sensitivity to sucrose in control subjects. Notably, this relationship between sucrose preference and sensitivity was completely absent in participants with type 2 diabetes. Male patients with diabetes demonstrated a higher sucrose preference compared with female patients. There were no significant correlations between sucrose preference and glycemic control, duration of diabetes, or anti-diabetic medications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Participants with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a lower preference for sweet tastes than control subjects despite their decreased perception of sucrose. Reduced sucrose preference is not associated with better glycemic control in individuals with diabetes.

• Authors: Ji Hee Yu, Mi-Seon Shin, Jeong Rim Lee, Jong Han Choi, Eun Hee Koh, Woo Je Lee, Joong-Yeol Park, Min-Seon Kim
• Journal: Diabetes research and clinical practice (Diabetes Res Clin Pract) Vol. 104 Issue 2 Pg. 214-9 (May 2014) ISSN: 1872-8227 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 24629412 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Sweetening Agents
• Sucrose

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Mass Index
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (blood, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sucrose (pharmacology)
• Sweetening Agents (pharmacology)
• Taste (drug effects, physiology)