Sweet taste liking and health

This content has been authored by Dr Rhiannon Mae Armitage and Prof Martin Yeomans, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, UK.

Why do humans like sweet tastes?

Evolutionarily, it is likely that our taste systems developed to help assess a food’s nutritional value or potential toxicity, promoting survival (1). Therefore, we tend to dislike bitter tastes to avoid consuming potentially harmful substances, as dangerous toxins in plants often taste bitter. In contrast, humans are naturally drawn to sweet tastes because sweetness typically signals the presence of energy-rich, ‘safe’ carbohydrates. This innate preference for sweet tastes can even be observed in the womb and with newborns (2,3).

Sugars reduced cereal biscuits stacked on top of one another

Does everyone prefer the same level of sweetness?

While humans are naturally attracted to certain sweetness levels, individual preferences vary widely. This is due to a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors (1). Some people love intensely sweet tastes, while others only like mild sweetness, and some do not like anything sweet (4). Importantly, these differences in liking do not seem to be due to variations in how individuals perceive sweetness (5). However, things become more complicated when we consider the interplay of flavours in foods (i.e., sweet in combination with fat, salt, or fruity notes, etc.). The eating experience is also multifactorial and complex! For example, what we choose to eat varies depending on factors such as who we are with, what is available, our hunger levels, health goals, or mood (6).

Do children like sweet tastes more than adults, and why?

Yes, children generally prefer sweeter tastes than adults [for example (7–9)]. This heightened preference is thought to support their increased energy and nutrient needs during critical periods of development and growth (7,10). This drives infants to energy-rich sweet foods like breast milk and, later, fruits (9,10). As children grow older, their preference for sweetness tends to decline gradually, particularly after adolescence, when environmental and lifestyle factors become more influential.

Does exposure to sweet foods change our preferences for sweet tastes?

Modern food environments can be abundant in easily accessible sweet, high-fat, energy-dense foods and beverages. This has led to concerns that frequent exposure to these foods, particularly sweetness, may increase preference for sweet tastes, leading to overconsumption and weight gain. Public health policies for sweetness are often based on this implicit assumption that reducing exposure to sweetness in the diet will decrease preference for sweet-tasting products and, therefore, intake and body weight. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim (11). Most research has found no relationship between exposure to sweet tastes and increased preference, liking and intake in either children or adults [as reviewed in (11–14)].

Liking for sugars vs low and no-calorie sweeteners: is there a difference?

Low and non-caloric sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose, have become increasingly common as many seek to reduce their intake of sugars while maintaining sweetness in their diet (15). These sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar and provide little to no calories, making them popular in “diet” or “low-calorie” products. However, they often have a bitter or metallic aftertaste, affecting their overall palatability, and act functionally differently in recipes to natural sugars, making direct substitution difficult (16,17). This can create challenges comparing liking for low and no-calorie sweeteners to sugars. However, it seems people who like the sweet taste of natural sugars also enjoy non-caloric sweeteners.

Does liking sweet tastes mean you are more likely to be overweight?

Popular media often suggests that a strong liking for sweet tastes will lead to overconsumption of sweet products, contributing to obesity (5). This could include products sweetened with sugars or with low or no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) since LNCS-sweetened products are not necessarily lower in calories if sugars are replaced with fats and starches. If this were the case, those who show an increased liking for sweet tastes would have a higher intake of foods high in sweetness and may be more likely to be overweight or obese (if the sweet foods are consumed in excess of calorie requirements). However, evidence to date questions the role of sweet liking and preference as a cause of overconsumption and weight gain (5). Overall, people who like intense sweet tastes do not seem to consume significantly more sugars or sweet products compared to those who do not like sweet tastes, although they may consume slightly more sugar-sweetened beverages (18). In addition, high sweet liking is not associated with an increased body fat or larger overall body size (5,19). However, it is important to acknowledge that excess body weight arises from a sustained positive energy balance (calories consumed over requirements). Therefore, high consumption of energy-rich, nutrient-poor foods and beverages beyond the amounts recommended in dietary guidelines can be detrimental to health.

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