Effects of weight change on taste function; a systematic review

BACKGROUND: The aim of this review is to evaluate the relationship between weight status and taste perception and preference of sweet, salt, fat, bitter, and sour through reviewing observational and interventional studies with objective methods. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in 6 online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar up to October 2021. The following keywords were used in the search strategy: (Taste OR "Taste Perception" OR "Taste Threshold" OR "Taste preference" OR "Taste sensitivity" OR "Taste changes") AND (weight OR "Weight gain" OR "weight loss" OR "weight change"). RESULTS: Most observational studies indicate that four taste sensitivities or perceptions (especially sweet and salt taste perception) are lower in subjects with overweight and obesity. The longitudinal studies reported that sweet and fat preference is increased along with weight gain in adults. It is concluded that taste perceptions are decreased in individuals with overweight and obesity, especially in men. Also, taste perception and preference change after weight loss but not significantly. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the results of the interventional studies are not conclusive and need further studies with the same and standard design adjusting cofounding variables including genetic, gender, age and food condition of subjects. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12937-023-00850-z.