An increase in visceral fat is associated with a decrease in the taste and olfactory capacity

Abstract

IntroductionSensory factors may play an important role in the determination of appetite and food choices. Also, some adipokines may alter or predict the perception and pleasantness of specific odors. We aimed to analyze differences in smell–taste capacity between females with different weights and relate them with fat and fat-free mass, visceral fat, and several adipokines.Materials and methods179 females with different weights (from low weight to morbid obesity) were studied. We analyzed the relation between fat, fat-free mass, visceral fat (indirectly estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis with visceral fat rating (VFR)), leptin, adiponectin and visfatin. The smell and taste assessments were performed through the "Sniffin’ Sticks" and "Taste Strips" respectively.ResultsWe found a lower score in the measurement of smell (TDI-score (Threshold, Discrimination and Identification)) in obese subjects. All the olfactory functions measured, such as threshold, discrimination, identification and the TDI-score, correlated negatively with age, body mass index (BMI), leptin, fat mass, fat-free mass and VFR. In a multiple linear regression model, VFR mainly predicted the TDI-score. With regard to the taste function measurements, the normal weight subjects showed a higher score of taste functions. However a tendency to decrease was observed in the groups with greater or lesser BMI. In a multiple linear regression model VFR and age mainly predicted the total taste scores.DiscussionWe show for the first time that a reverse relationship exists between visceral fat and sensory signals, such as smell and taste, across a population with different body weight conditions.

The Association between Salt Taste Perception, Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…For instance, one of these studies, including only healthy adults, showed that salt taste threshold was higher in people with higher BMI, with a similar result for olfactory threshold, indicating that increasing BMI was associated with a decrease in olfactory and taste sensitivity [54]. A decreased taste capacity was found with increase in visceral fat, with a negative correlation between salt taste threshold and BMI, total fat mass and visceral fat, as well as with insulin, leptin, glucose, and HDL cholesterol in healthy women [24]. However, there are studies that showed the opposite results.…”

“…Obese adults were reported to consume more salty foods and to have reduced salt sensitivity and higher salt preference [21][22][23]. Additionally, obese women showed decrease in both olfactory and taste capacity, including salt taste, compared to normal weight women [24]. On the other hand, adolescents with early onset and severe obesity displayed lower recognition thresholds, indicating higher acuity, and higher sensitivity for both sucrose and salt compared to the non-obese adolescents [25].…”

Distinct Effects of two Almond Cultivars on Agreeability and Gastrointestinal Motility in Healthy Subjects: more than mere Nutraceuticals

“…Differences point to distinct anatomical and pathophysiological processes in obesity and aging. Obese subjects display a significant correlation between elevated BMI and the presence of smell and taste dysfunction [54][55][56][57]. Visceral fat correlates with obesity and excreted adipokines [58] may alter the perception of odours [57,59].…”

“…Obese subjects display a significant correlation between elevated BMI and the presence of smell and taste dysfunction [54][55][56][57]. Visceral fat correlates with obesity and excreted adipokines [58] may alter the perception of odours [57,59]. Also, studies found a negative correlation between the olfactory functions and age [57,60], and negative effects of aging on taste [60].…”

“…Visceral fat correlates with obesity and excreted adipokines [58] may alter the perception of odours [57,59]. Also, studies found a negative correlation between the olfactory functions and age [57,60], and negative effects of aging on taste [60]. Elderly subjects can lose their sense of smell and the ability to discriminate between smells.…”