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Alteration Pattern of Taste Perception After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review of Four Taste Domains

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Abstract

Background

Efforts continue to understand the underlying mechanism of weight loss after bariatric surgery. Taste perception has shown to be a contributing factor. However, the alteration pattern in different taste domains and among bariatric procedures has not been sufficiently investigated.

Objectives

To study the alteration pattern in the perception of four taste domains after different bariatric procedures.

Settings

Private Research Institute, USA.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to pool available data in the literature on post-operative changes in the perception of sensitivity to four taste domains after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and adjustable gastric banding (AGB).

Results

Our study showed that bariatric surgery is associated with significant change in sensitivity to all four taste domains especially salt taste, sweetness, and sourness. LSG patients showed an increased sensitivity to all four taste domains. However, RYGB patients had a variable alteration pattern of taste perception but more commonly a decreased sensitivity to sweetness and an increased sensitivity to salt taste and sourness. Additionally, AGB patients had a decreased sensitivity to sweetness, salt taste, and sourness.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is associated with taste change in a way which results in less preference for high-calorie food and possibly reduced calorie intake. This may explain one of the mechanisms by which bariatric surgery produces weight loss. However, data are heterogeneous, the potential effect dilutes over time, and the alteration varies significantly between different procedures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ScientificWriting, Division of Surgical Research, Shoar Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA

    Saeed Shoar, Nasrin Shoar & Venkat R. Modukuru

  2. Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

    Saeed Shoar, Mohammad Naderan & Habibollah Mahmoodzadeh

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Science, Kashan, Iran

    Nasrin Shoar

  4. Faculty Surgeon, Department of Surgery, NYMC at Metropolitan Hospital Program, New York City, NY, USA

    Venkat R. Modukuru

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  1. Saeed Shoar
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Correspondence to Saeed Shoar.

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Not applicable as it is a systematic review and meta-analysis with no original data from patients.

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Not applicable as it is a systematic review and meta-analysis with no original data from patients.

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Shoar, S., Naderan, M., Shoar, N. et al. Alteration Pattern of Taste Perception After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review of Four Taste Domains. OBES SURG 29, 1542–1550 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-019-03730-w

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