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A relationship between bitter and fat taste sensitivity, CD36 rs1761667 and TAS2R38 has been demonstrated. However, research is scarce and does not take diet into account. This study aimed to explore associations between genetics, fat and bitter taste sensitivity and dietary fat intake in healthy UK adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 88 Caucasian participants (49 females and 39 males aged 35 ± 1 years; body mass index 24.9 ± 0.5 kg/m 2). Bitter taste sensitivity was assessed using phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) impregnated strips and the general Labelled Magnitude Scale. Fat taste sensitivity was assessed by the Ascending Forced Choice Triangle Procedure and dietary intake with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Genotyping for rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939 and rs1761667 was performed. Participants with TAS2R38 PAV/PAV diplotype perceived PTC strips as more bitter than groups carrying AVI haplotypes (AVI/AVI, p = 1x10 -6; AVI/AAV, p = 0.029). CD36 rs1761667 was associated with fat taste sensitivity (p = 0.008). A negative correlation between bitter taste sensitivity and saturated fat intake was observed (rs = -0.256, p = 0.016). When combining the CD36 genotypes and TAS2R38 diplotypes into one variable, participants carrying both TAS2R38 AVI haplotype and CD36 A allele had a higher intake of saturated fat compared to carriers of CD36 GG genotype or TAS2R38 PAV/PAV and PAV/AAV diplotypes (13.8 ± 0.3 vs 12.6 ± 0.5 %TEI, p = 0.047) warranting further exploration in a larger cohort.

Objectives Taste perception (sensitivity) may be determined by genetic variations in taste receptors and it affects food intake. Lower fat taste sensitivity is associated with higher dietary fat intake and body mass index (BMI). Recently, associations between bitter and fat taste sensitivity have been reported whereby bitter taste perception may be involved in textural perception of dietary fat. However, it is not clear if lower sensitivity to bitter taste would lead to an actual higher fat intake. Our objectives were to explore the associations between haplotypes in the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38, bitter taste sensitivity and fat intake and if bitter taste sensitivity is lower in individuals with higher BMI. Methods Ethical approval was obtained from the St Mary's and Oxford Brookes University Ethics Committee. Eighty-eight healthy Caucasian participants (44% male and 56% female; mean BMI 24.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2 and mean age 35 ± 14 years) completed this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured and genotyping performed for rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939 genetic variants in the TAS2R38. Haplotypes were determined with Haploview software. Participants rated the intensity of a phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) impregnated strip on the general Labelled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) to determine bitter taste sensitivity and were classified as bitter tasters and non-tasters. Dietary fat intake was calculated from the EPIC-Norfolk Food Frequency Questionnaire and expressed as % total energy intake. Results TAS2R38 haplotypes were associated with bitter taster status (P < 0.005). PTC ratings of intensity were negatively correlated with % saturated fat (SFA) intake (rs = −0.256, P = 0.016). %SFA and %total fat (rs = 0.656, P < 0.005) and %total fat and energy intake (kcal) (rs = 0.225, P = 0.035) were positively correlated. Normal weight participants rated PTC strips as more intense compared to overweight and obese participants (mean rank 53 vs. 41, P = 0.033). Conclusions Bitter taste perception is determined by genetics and lower sensitivity to this taste is associated with higher intake of SFA. Lower bitter taste sensitivity in overweight/obese participants suggests that impaired bitter taste may be associated with an overall unhealthier and more energy dense dietary pattern. Funding Sources St Mary's and Oxford Brookes University.

ADR significantly increased after adopting Fuse endoscopes at an ASC. Further studies are warranted to further understand the effects of Fuse on ADR in real-world settings.