Associations of CD36 rs1761667 with Fat and Umami Food Perception, Diet Quality, and BMI in Two European Studies

Background/Objectives: Fat, a newly researched taste, has been associated with the cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) gene, which codes for the CD36 receptor protein. The rs1761667 variant has been associated with fat taste sensitivity. Furthermore, umami is a well-established taste with known receptors. The combination of these tastes is common in food; nevertheless, they have not been extensively investigated together. This study aimed to assess whether CD36 rs1761667 is associated with food liking and the perception of fat and umami foods. Methods: Two studies were conducted: A field study on 235 individuals from Italy and a laboratory study on 49 individuals from the UK. Data includes demographics, anthropometrics, a food liking questionnaire or a fat and umami food flavour test, dietary intake assessment, and rs1761667 genotyping. Results: Study 1: The rs1761667 A-allele was associated with a reduced liking for fatty and umami foods in individuals with BMI ≥ 25. Study 2: The rs1761667 A-allele was associated with an increased intensity of the umami food samples, and a significant positive association of rs1761667 with BMI and DQS was found. Conclusions: This study is the first to address the potential links between rs1761667, fat, umami, diet, and BMI. Further research is required to confirm these findings.