Influence of Sex Differences on Temporal Sequence of Sensations after Ingesting Fruit-Flavored Tea—A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The goal of this preliminary study was to examine the effect of participants' sexes on the temporal sequence of dominant sensations elicited by fruit-flavored teas. Twelve healthy young adults were assigned to male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) groups. Both groups were evaluated for four sensations using four fruit-flavored teas with 0.05 M sucrose using the temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) method. Only two sensations, sweetness and fruitiness, were consistently reported in the two groups. The male group first reported fruitiness and then sweetness as the dominant sensation following ingestion of the samples. Conversely, the female group reported these two dominant sensations in the reverse order. Significant dominant durations between the two sensations largely varied among the samples in both groups. These results suggest that there are sex-based differences in the temporal sequence of dominant sensations elicited by fruit-flavored teas as evaluated by the TDS method.

Temporal Sequence of Sweetness Perception in Fruit-Flavored Tea: A Descriptive Report on the Influence of Sucrose Concentrations on the Sensation

“…Besides, these studies paid little attention to the influence of participants' sex on the results (e.g., 10 females and one male [5]). Our recent study documented sex-based differences in the temporal sequence of sweetness and fruitiness in sweetened and strawberry-flavored teas with the TDS method [1]. This study suggested that the sucrose concentration plays an important role in determining the temporal sequence of sensations.…”

“…Since sweetened black teas commercially available in Japan contain 0.05-M sucrose on average [10], our preceding study [1] used that concentration of sucrose to match the commercial teas. This study suggested that the sex of participants could affect the temporal sequence of the two major sensations, sweetness and fruitiness, elicited by flavored teas.…”

“…Based on our preceding study [1], four fruit-flavored teas were used as samples in this study. Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was used as a starting material for flavored teas.…”

“…The recording system consisted of a base unit and four cordless extension units of tablet devices, so a maximum of four participants could use the system at the same time. As in our previous study [1], four items that elicit four different and active sensations, that is, sweetness, sourness, astringency, and fruitiness, were utilized for sensory evaluation. The passive sensation of "flavorlessness" was also utilized to clarify the sensation when a participant selected none of the four items.…”

“…Only one sensation, sweetness, was subjected to the following analysis in this study. First, the TDS curves of the female and male groups were obtained, as in our previous paper [1]. Second, the average times from the start of ingestion of each sample to the reported sensation of sweetness exceeding the significant level were calculated in each group, and then differences in the times between the two groups were calculated by subtracting the average time in the female group from that in the male group.…”