Özet:
Taste perception plays a key role in discovering individual food preferences
and dietary habits. Sweet taste is an influential factor that affect food intake in
particular. Various food choices are influenced by hedonic systems, various
motivations and traits. The factors that play a role in the food choice and
consumption process are not completely known yet. In our study, we aimed to
investigate the effect of SNP rs35874116 polymorphism in the sweet taste receptor
(TAS1R2) gene on food choice and carbohydrate intake. In this study, a total of 95
volunteers, 65 women and 30 men were included. Demographic data of the
individuals was recorded, food choice test and hedonistic eating scale questionnaires
were fill down by the individuals and food consumption records were taken. Venous
blood samples were collected from each individual to determine their genotype
distribution. Genotype distributions were determined in the isolated DNA samples by
using the competitive allele specific PCR method. When the participants were
examined by genotype and allele frequencies, the rate of individuals with the GA
genotype was 67,3%, the rate of individuals with the AA genotype was 26,3%, and
the rate of individuals with the GG genotype was 6,3%. In our study, when the
relationship between TAS1R2 sweet taste receptor genotype distribution and
carbohydrate intake and food choice motivation were evaluated; It was determined
that there was a statically significant negative weak relationship (p <0,05) between
carbohydrate intake of 64 individuals with the GA genotype and health (rs = -, 314, p
= 0.011) and weight control (rs = -, 315, p = 0.011) motivations. It was found that
there was a statistically significant negative and very strong correlation (p <0.05)
between the sucrose intake of individuals with the GG genotype and familiarity with
the sub-dimensions of the food choice test (r = -, 943, p = 0.005). However, there
was no statistically significant difference between hedonistic eating scores and food
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selection motivations according to genotypes (p> 0.05). Although the amount of
carbohydrate and sucrose consumption of individuals with GG genotype was high
compared to other genotypes, no statistically significant difference was found.
In our study, it was determined that the highest motivation for food selection in
individuals was sensory appearance, and the least important motivation is ethical
concerns. It was determined that women attach more importance to motivation of
health, fitness and weight control food choice than men and this relationship is
statistically significant (p <0.05). In our study, the effect of polymorphism in the
sweet taste receptor (TAS1R2) gene on carbohydrate and sucrose intake of
individuals was not directly determined. Although it was concluded that genetic
variations may have an impact on food choices, nutrient consumption, and hedonistic
eating, more work is needed with broader groups to illuminate the impact of genetic
variants on our eating habits.