A new research shows that people who cannot taste fat in food have more chances of becoming obese due to overeating.
Researchers at the Deakin University, Australia, found that people who are unable to detect or taste the fat in foods eat significantly more during lunch after a heavy breakfast than those who can taste fat.
"These results suggest that the ability to taste fat is linked with the fullness experienced from fat," said Deakin's Professor Russell Keast. "If you do not taste fat or experience the fullness associated with eating fatty food, you are likely to be more hungry and consume more energy after an earlier fatty meal. And as we know overconsumption of foods, particularly fatty foods, is associated with people being overweight or obese," said Keast.
For the study, the researchers examined the participants' sensitivity to fat taste. They were told to eat a high fat, high carbohydrate, high protein breakfast for four days and were given a buffet style lunch where they ate a variety of foods until comfortably full.
The researchers then measured the energy consumed at lunch and also recorded the participants' perceived hunger and fullness.
"It is becoming clear that our ability to taste fat is a factor in the development of obesity," Keast said.
"We know that people have a taste threshold for fat. Some people have a high sensitivity to the taste and are likely to eat less fatty foods, while others are less sensitive and cannot taste fat and are more likely to overeat fatty foods," said Keast.
He explained that the study findings showed a linked between fat taste and obesity.
The study is published online in the international research journal 'Appetite'.
