Effect of Beta 2-Adrenergic Receptor Gly16Arg Polymorphism on Taste Preferences in Healthy Young Japanese Adults

Abstract

The Gly16Arg polymorphism results in a G to C nucleotide mutation in the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene and has a relationship with obesity; however, this substitution’s effects on food preferences are unclear. Therefore, we determined this relationship among healthy young adults (mean age, 23.4; n = 52). To evaluate food preferences, four categories of food (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) along with high-fat foods were evaluated using a self-reporting questionnaire. Male (n = 26) and female subjects (n = 26) were genotyped for the polymorphism and further divided into three groups (two homozygous groups, GG, CC; and a heterozygous group, GC). Preference for sour foods in the GG group was higher compared with that in the CC group in females (p p p ADRB2 polymorphism is associated with food preference. Understanding the relationship of ADRB2 substitution to food preference will be valuable for designing individualized anti-obesity strategies.

Keywords

• beta 2-adrenergic receptor (<i>ADRB2</i>)
• fatty foods
• obesity
• preference of food
• single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)