Salty, Sour, Sweet, Umami and Bitter Taste Thresholds in Female College Students: Comparison between the Summer and Winter Seasons

Abstract

The sense of taste functions as a nutrient sensing system and plays regulatory roles in energy and nutrient intake. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not taste sensitivity exhibits seasonal variations in young women. The stimulation and recognition thresholds for salty, sour, sweet, umami and bitter tastes were determined during the summer (Jul‐Aug) and winter (Jan‐Feb) seasons in female college students. The results showed that the stimulation thresholds for salty and sweet tastes were significantly higher in the winter than in the summer. The recognition thresholds for salty, sour, sweet and bitter, but not umami, tastes were significantly higher in the winter than in the summer. These findings suggest that taste sensitivities are generally lower in winter than in summer.