Effect of Physical Exercise on Human Preference for Solutions of Various Sweet Substances

Abstract

The effect of physical exercise on taste preference for various sweet solutions was examined with 44 healthy university students (19 men, 25 women; M age = 20, SD = 0.9). None had participated in regular exercise programs during the previous year. After 30 min. of exercise using a bicycle ergometer at the heart-rate intensity corresponding to 50% VO₂ max (maximal oxygen uptake), a rating scale for taste hedonic tone was performed. The test solutions included various concentrations of sucrose, glucose, stevioside, D-sorbitol, erythritol, and saccharin. The preference ratings for sucrose, glucose, stevioside, D-sorbitol, and erythritol increased after exercise, whereas the preference ratings for saccharin were unchanged after exercise at all the concentrations tested. Taste preference for many sweet substances increased after physical exercise.