Non-nutritive Sweetener Aftertaste: a Review of Its Causes, Prevalence, and Perception

Abstract

Objective: The current project is designed to determine whether perception of non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) aftertaste correlates to actual aftertaste, to determine if perception correlates to genes that determine taste, and choice of consumption. Hypothesis: The null hypothesis is that perception of aftertaste and actual aftertaste following NNS exposure does not differ. Methodology: A literature review was performed on PubMed using the terms “non-nutritive sweetener”, “taste perception”, “perception vs. reality”, and “aftertaste”. All relevant “hits” were included. Summary: The literature review revealed that NNS aftertaste can occur. Aftertaste may be perceived as bitterness or metallic taste that persists after initial exposure. Additionally, aftertaste was variable in its prevalence and intensity, ranging from none to extreme. This perception of aftertaste has been correlated with variability among subjects in genes that code for taste receptors. The review also revealed that in general, perceptions can influence behaviour and actions. However, it did not reveal studies that examined the relationship between the two. Therefore this literature review supports the objective of the project, to determine a correlation and underlying contributing factors between perception of aftertaste and actual aftertaste with NNS and whether that perception can alter choice of consumption of NNS-containing foods.