Taste Alterations Do Not Affect Change in Food Habits and Body Weight in Breast Cancer Patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

Chemotherapy-induced taste alterations (TAs) affect approximately 53-84% of breast cancer patients with significant consequences on flavor perception, possibly leading to food aversion and changes in daily dietary habits. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TAs and changes in food habits and body weight among early breast cancer (EBC) patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

TAs were prospectively evaluated in 182 EBC patients from April 2014 to June 2018. TAs, dietary habits, and body weight were collected by a trained dietician. TAs were classified into different subtypes according to the following basic taste perception: metallic, sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami taste.

RESULTS:

During adjuvant chemotherapy, a significant reduction in the consumption of bread, breadsticks, red meat, fat salami, snacks, added sugar, milk, and alcoholic beverages was observed, regardless of TAs onset. No correlation between these dietary changes and different TAs subtypes was found. Body weight remained stable in most EBC patients (71.4%) and was not influenced by TAs onset and by different TAs subtypes.

CONCLUSION:

EBC patients change their dietary habits during adjuvant chemotherapy, mostly following the World Cancer Research Fund recommendations, irrespective of TAs onset and without affecting body weight.

• Authors: Rebecca Pedersini, Pierluigi DI Mauro, Manuel Zamparini, Sara Bosio, Barbara Zanini, Vito Amoroso, Antonella Turla, Sara Monteverdi, Alessandra Zanini, Lara Laini, Greta Schivardi, Lucia Vassalli, Deborah Cosentini, Salvatore Grisanti, Edda Lucia Simoncini, Alfredo Berruti
• Journal: In vivo (Athens, Greece) (In Vivo) 2022 Jul-Aug Vol. 36 Issue 4 Pg. 1860-1867 ISSN: 1791-7549 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 35738619 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Topics

• Body Weight
• Breast Neoplasms
• Feeding Behavior
• Female
• Food Preferences
• Humans
• Taste