Changes in Taste Perception Following Mental or Physical Stress

Abstract

Taste perception depends not only on the chemical and physical properties of tastants, but may also depend on the physiological and psychological conditions of those who do the tasting. In this study, the effects of mood state on taste sensitivity was evaluated in humans who were exposed to conditions of mental or physical fatigue and tension. Taste responses to quinine sulfate (bitter), citric acid (sour) and sucrose (sweet) were tested. The intensity of the taste sensations were recorded by a computerized time-intensity (Tl) on-line system. Subjects performed mental tasks by personal computer or physical tasks by ergometer for 10-40 min. Before and after these sessions, the duration of the after-taste and the intensity of the sensation of taste were recorded by the Tl system, and in addition, psychological mood states were evaluated with POMS (Profile of Mood State). Tl evaluation showed that after the mental tasks, the perceived duration of bitter, sour and sweet taste sensations was shortened relative to the control. Total amount of bitterness, sourness and sweetness was also significantly reduced. Furthermore, the maximum intensity of bitterness was significantly reduced. There were no significant differences in bitterness and sweetness sensations following physical tasks. However, relative to before the physical task, the duration of the after-taste of sourness was significantly shortened by the physical task. After the physical task, the buffering capacity of saliva was significantly increased. Thus mental and physical tasks alter taste perception in different ways; the mechanisms underlying these changes remain to be determined.

Effect of dried-bonito broth on mood states: A pooled analysis of four randomized controlled human trials

“…It has been reported that the vigor score is negatively correlated with the fatigue score (8,9). Furthermore, it has been reported that the vigor score decreased and the fatigue score increased during both physical (14) and mental workloads (11). These previous observations suggest that the vigor score is closely related to fatigue.…”

Change in Taste Sensitivity to Sucrose Due to Physical Fatigue

“…The relationship between fatigue and taste palatability has been investigated by Nakagawa et al (1996), who evaluated the effect of mood on taste sensitivity. Following the induction of mental stress, the perceived duration of bitter, sour, and sweet taste sensations was shortened in the induced group compared to that in the control group.…”

“…There was, nevertheless, no significant difference between bitter and sweet sensations following physical stress. However, the duration of the aftertaste of sourness was significantly increased (Nakagawa et al, 1996). Horio and Kawamura (1998) examined the change in palatability and threshold of various taste solutions after the induction of exercise stress.…”

Perceived taste disturbance in adults: prevalence and association with oral and psychological factors and medication

“…The second group consists of factors with systemic origin, i.e., low zinc concentrations [16,27], hormone disturbances [10], head trauma, viral infections, irradiation [7], and adverse effect of medication [1,31]. The third group is comprised of psychological factors such as depression [8,20,21] and stress [22].…”