Genetic differences in fat taste sensitivity and dietary intake in a UK female cohort

Over the past decade, a potential sixth taste, fat taste (“oleogustus”), has been identified. Studies in adults and children of various ethnicities have demonstrated that both lifestyle and genetic factors may contribute to fat taste sensitivity (FTS). Data on females in the UK is limited. The aim of this study was to determine, using an ethnically similar, healthy, female cohort, whether known genotypes related to fat taste and dietary intake lead to differences in FTS. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a UK cohort of Caucasian females (32.7 ± 11.4 years, 23.7 ± 3.6 kg/m2). We report that FTS differed in individuals with differing genotypes; genotypes that have previously been associated with differences in dietary intake. Specifically, FTS was lower in rs1514175 Troponin I-Interacting Protein Kinase (TNNI3K) gene AA/AG genotype and was higher in rs6265 Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene TT/CT genotype (both p < 0.05). We also report that participants in the rs1514175 TNNI3K AA/AG genotype group had a higher energy intake, total fat intake, and subsequently, higher monounsaturated fat and saturated fat intake when compared to the GG genotype (all p < 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first study showing associations between genotypes that have been previously associated to dietary intake are also associated to FTS. Due to the heterogeneity of previous research and the infancy of fat taste research, further research is required on a larger, ethnically similar cohort.