The study, conducted by the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, included 500 children ages 5 to 12. The children were asked to taste five samples of sugar (sucrose) water with varying amounts of sugar and indicate their preferred level of sweetness. About one-fourth of the participants had depressive symptoms and 49 percent had a family history of alcoholism.
Researchers found that a liking for intense sweetness was greatest in the 37 children with both depressive symptoms and a family history of alcoholism. Among these children, the preferred level of sweetness was 24 percent sucrose -- the equivalent of 14 teaspoons of sugar, or about twice as much sugar as the average soda. The other children participating in the study preferred about 18 percent sucrose, or one-third less sugar.
The researchers believe that more study is needed to establish whether a liking for intense sweetness is a reliable indicator of later alcohol problems.
Study author Julie A. Mennella, a developmental psychobiologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, said in a news release: "We know that sweet taste is rewarding to all kids and makes them feel good. In addition, certain groups of children may be especially attracted to intense sweetness due to their underlying biology. At this point, we don't know whether this higher 'bliss point' for sweets is a marker for later alcohol use."
(Source: www.businessweek.com)
Labels: depression, sugar, alcoholism
Posted By: Aspen Education Group