According to B.T., which reports on a study from ScienceDirect, 180 adults participated in a six-month experiment.
The aim was to investigate whether it is possible to change one’s preference for sweet-tasting foods.
Participants were divided into three groups. One group consumed very little sweet food, another a moderate amount, and the third a high amount of sweet food.
A large portion of their diet was controlled by researchers to ensure clear differences between the groups.
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The experiment did not focus solely on sugar, but on sweet taste in general, including products containing sweeteners.
No change
It has previously been assumed that eating less sweet food would reduce cravings, while consuming more might increase them. However, this was not the case in the experiment.
The results showed that participants’ preference for sweet taste remained largely unchanged before and after the study.
Even after six months of dietary changes, no clear shift was observed.
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Adults’ preference for sweet foods appears to be more stable than previously thought.
Back to habits
After the experiment, participants quickly returned to their previous eating habits. People appear to have a relatively fixed level of preferred sweetness.
However, the researchers emphasize that the findings apply only to adults. According to Illustreret Videnskab, children’s taste preferences may still be more adaptable.
The study therefore indicates that reducing sugar intake over a longer period does not necessarily diminish the desire for sweet foods.
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Sources: B.T., ScienceDirect and Illustreret Videnskab.
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