Long-term exercises increase the taste sensitivity for sucrose and reduces the carbohydrate intake and anthropometric parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests a relationship between exercises and taste sensitivity for sucrose. This study aimed at determining an association between taste sensitivity with energy intake and anthropometric parameters in T2DM on long-term exercises. A randomized controlled trial conducted with 225 T2DM patients aged 35-60 years was assigned randomly into 3 groups aerobic (n=75), combined (n=75) and control (n=75) groups. The aerobic exercise group performed brisk walking 30min/day, 3-5days/week and the combined exercise group performed resistance exercises, 2-3days/week in addition to aerobic exercises. Primary outcomes were suprathreshold intensity for sucrose measured by ‘general Labeled Magnitude Scale’ following a standard breakfast meal (275 kcal) and anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist and hip circumferences) measured by conventional methods at 0, 3 and 6 months. Carbohydrate intake, assessed, based on a 3-day diet diary, using ‘Nutrsurvey2007’ in a matched subset (Aerobic n=36, Combined n= 36, Controls n=36) was a primary outcome. Glycemic control, determined by HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) assessment using HPLC method at 0, and 6 months was a secondary outcome. Association between taste sensitivity for sucrose, carbohydrate intake, and anthropometric parameters was done using Pearson Correlation test and Multiple Linear Regression. Aerobic exercise group showed a significant negative correlation between taste threshold for 2.02M, 0.64M solutions and waist circumference at 3 and 6 months (p<0.05). Combined exercise group had negative correlations between all anthropometric parameters with taste sensitivity for 2.02M and 0.64M solutions at 6 months (p<0.05). A 1 mm increase in suprathreshold intensity ratings for sucrose (0.64M) reduces daily carbohydrate intake from 5.2g (R=0.801, R2=642, p=0.004) and 2.3kg of body weight (R=0.586, R2 = 0.343, p=0.002) when all other independent variables were held constant with combined exercises. Taste sensitivity has an inverse relationship with carbohydrate intake and body weight in patients with T2DM who perform regular combined exercises.