Sensitivity to Sweet and Salty Tastes in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Taste function impairment is observed in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It is most often related to sweet taste. It is associated with such factors as diabetic neuropathy, smoking, age, duration of the disease and a rigorous diet that eliminates easily digestible carbohydrates. The aim of the study was to compare sensitivity to sweet and salty tastes between healthy children and adolescents and children and adolescents with T1D. The study group consisted of children with T1D (n = 35), with at least 5 years of disease history, while the group of healthy children included 46 individuals selected in terms of age, gender and BMI. A study concerning the perception of sweet and salty taste was carried out with the use of the specific gustometry method (examining the recognition and assessment of the intensity of taste sensations, performing a hedonic assessment). Children and adolescents from both groups had trouble recognising tastes. Children and adolescents with T1D were more likely to recognise sweet taste correctly even at its lower concentrations compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.04). Salty taste was significantly more often correctly identified by healthy children compared to T1D patients (p = 0.01). Children and adolescents with T1D reported a stronger intensity of perceived tastes than healthy ones. No significant differences in perceived pleasure were noted at lower sucrose concentrations in any group. The intensity score was higher in individuals with T1D at higher sucrose concentrations. No significant differences occurred in the assessment of salty taste intensity. The hedonic scoring of solutions with higher concentrations of sweet taste was higher in people with T1D than in healthy ones, while salty taste was assessed neutrally. Children and adolescents with T1D were demonstrated to have some taste recognition disorders. Therefore, monitoring taste function in pediatric diabetic clinical practice seems relevant, as it may be associated with important implications for the intake of a particular type of food and for the development of eating habits and preferences.