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Animation: Sweet taste liking

This video explores why our enjoyment of sweet tastes is a natural human response, and what current research tells us about how this relates to diet, body weight and health. 

 

    • Author WSRO
    • Publication Date 11/06/2026
    • Last Updated 11/06/2026
    • Category Science Resource

Discover our new animated learning series — a fresh, engaging way to explore the science of food and nutrition at your own pace.  

In this video, we’ll unpack the science behind our liking for sweet tastes and explain why having a “sweet tooth” does not cause overeating, obesity or poor health.

This video delivers clear, evidence-based insights in an engaging, accessible format that makes learning effortless — no nutrition background needed. Start watching now and see how this short animation can change the way you think about food!
 

Sweet taste liking

Disclaimer: This resource is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical, clinical or other professional advice. The WSRO is an international, member-based, not-for-profit organisation focused on the science of sugars and health. For more information about its members, please see our Members Directory.

References and further reading:

  1. Drewnowski A, Mennella JA, Johnson SL, Bellisle F. Sweetness and Food Preference. The Journal of Nutrition. 2012 Jun 1;142(6):1142S-1148S. 
  2. Iatridi V, Hayes JE, Yeomans MR. Quantifying Sweet Taste Liker Phenotypes: Time for Some Consistency in the Classification Criteria. Nutrients. 2019 Jan;11(1):129.
  3. Armitage RM, Iatridi V, Yeomans MR. Understanding sweet-liking phenotypes and their implications for obesity: Narrative review and future directions. Physiology & Behavior. 2021 Jun 1;235:113398. 
  4. Coldwell SE, Oswald TK, Reed DR. A marker of growth differs between adolescents with high vs. low sugar preference. Physiology & Behavior. 2009 Mar 23;96(4):574–80. 
  5. Mela DJ, Risso D. Does sweetness exposure drive ‘sweet tooth’? British Journal of Nutrition. 2024 Jun;131(11):1934–44. 
  6. Nehring I, Kostka T, von Kries R, Rehfuess EA. Impacts of In Utero and Early Infant Taste Experiences on Later Taste Acceptance: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Nutrition. 2015 Jun 1;145(6):1271–9. 
  7. Appleton KM, Tuorila H, Bertenshaw EJ, de Graaf C, Mela DJ. Sweet taste exposure and the subsequent acceptance and preference for sweet taste in the diet: systematic review of the published literature. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Mar 1;107(3):405–19. 
  8. Venditti C, Musa-Veloso K, Lee HY, Poon T, Mak A, Darch M, et al. Determinants of Sweetness Preference: A Scoping Review of Human Studies. Nutrients. 2020 Mar;12(3):718. 
  9. Tan SY, Tucker RM. Sweet Taste as a Predictor of Dietary Intake: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2019 Jan;11(1):94. 
  10. Armitage RM, Iatridi V, Sladekova M, Yeomans MR. Comparing body composition between the sweet-liking phenotypes: experimental data, systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Int J Obes. 2024 Jun;48(6):764–77. 
  11. Čad EM, Mars M, Pretorius L, van der Kruijssen M, Tang CS, de Jong HB, et al. The Sweet Tooth Trial: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of A 6-Month Low, Regular, or High Dietary Sweet Taste Exposure on Sweet Taste Liking, and Various Outcomes Related to Food Intake and Weight Status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Jan;123(1):101073. 

Please get in touch if you have any questions, contact: admin@wsro.org.

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