A study conducted by Tokyo Medical and Dental University reveals that offspring exposed to high-fat diets during gestation and early life develop a preference for salty tastes. This alteration in taste preferences may be linked to increased expression of the Angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) protein in their taste buds, potentially contributing to obesity and diet-related health issues. The research utilized a rat model, where pregnant and lactating females were fed either a high-fat or standard diet. After weaning, all offspring continued on the same diet as their mothers. The findings demonstrated that young rats from the high-fat diet group not only preferred salty tastes but also gained more weight and consumed more calories compared to those on a standard diet. They were tested for their preferences among the five basic tastes using a two-bottle challenge; the high-fat diet group showed a marked preference for salty water without significant differences in other tastes. This study underscores the importance of maternal diet during crucial developmental stages, as it has lasting implications on offspring’s eating behaviors and health, providing a pathway for future research aimed at mitigating obesity and related diseases. The study was funded by Japanese educational and orthodontic institutions.
