Our genes could be making us fat

Washington, Mar 23 (ANI): Scientists have identified two specific genes that may determine some people's ability to taste and enjoy dietary fat.

By understanding the role of these two genes (TAS2R38-a bitter taste receptor and CD36-a possible fat receptor), food scientists may be able to help people who have trouble controlling how much fat they eat.

While high-fat foods are considered to be of universal appeal, there is actually a lot of variation in the extent to which people like and consume fat.

Most food scientists acknowledge the texture of fat plays a big role in how fat is perceived in the mouth. For example, ice cream is typically "rich, smooth and creamy."

And certain fats, scientists have determined, can be detected by smell.

Only recently have food scientists explored that most fats have a taste too. Researchers are now investigating the gene (CD360) that is responsible for detecting the taste of fats (fatty acids) in the mouth.

Investigators focused on one ethnic group to limit genetic variation that could reduce the ability to detect associations with the gene of interest. They determined the fat preferences and CD36 status of more than 300 African-American adults.

The investigators from the New York Obesity Research Center identified a genetic variant present in 21 percent of the African-Americans that was associated with higher preferences for added fats and oils (e.g. salad dressings, cooking oils, etc).

They also found study participants with this genetic variance ranked Italian salad dressings creamier than those who have other genotypes.

The other gene explored by these investigators, TAS2R38, is the receptor for bitter taste compounds. About 70 percent of U.S. adults and children are "tasters" of these compounds, while the remaining 30 percent are "nontasters."

Results indicate that nontasters of these compounds tend to be poor at discriminating fat in foods; therefore individuals who can't detect fat's presence may consume higher fat foods to compensate.

This is in part due to the fact that nontasters have fewer taste buds than tasters.

While researchers recognize that the cause of obesity is multifaceted, they continue to examine the role of these genotypes in weight management.

The study has been published in the Journal of Food Science by the Institute of Food Technologists. (ANI)