Sensitivity to sweetness of Japanese students and Chinese international students

抄録

Studies have shown that the sugar content of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with an increased risk of dental caries and erosion. Interestingly, the market shares of SSBs differ significantly between Japan and China. This study aimed to investigate the disparities in eating habits, especially sensitivity to sweetness, between Japanese and Chinese students. A total of 100 healthy Japanese and Chinese participants aged 19-34 years without any taste disorders were surveyed. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their eating habits and undergo a sweetness sensitivity test. We found that Japanese students tended to consume a higher proportion of sweet snacks and sugar-free beverages in their daily choices, whereas a lower proportion of Chinese students consumed the same (p<0.01). Additionally, compared with Chinese students, Japanese students were generally less concerned about the use of artificial sweeteners (p<0.05). However, the longer Chinese students lived in Japan, the less likely they were to worry about artificial sweeteners. This study revealed differences in the sensitivity to sweetness between Japanese and Chinese students. These findings may help promote the development of public health initiatives, aimed at reducing the prevalence of tooth decay and related oral or general diseases. (J Osaka Dent Univ 2024; 58: 101-109)