Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Health & Fitness

Gene decides why some people avoid alcohol

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Sep, 2014 11:18 AM
  • Gene decides why some people avoid alcohol
In case of alcohol, variation in bitter taste does get more complex because alcoholic beverages contain flavours and tastes that may mask any aversive effects of bitterness.
 
Now, a new study finds that alcohol drinking evoked sensations differ among people as a function of genetic variation - providing some insight into a possible reason why some people may avoid alcohol.
 
Prior work shows that some people experience more bitterness and less sweetness from alcoholic beverages like beer.
 
"In general, greater bitterness relates to lower liking and because we generally tend to avoid eating or drinking things we do not like, lower liking for alcohol beverages associates with lower intake," explained John E. Hayes, an assistant professor of food science at the Pennsylvania State University.
 
The study examined the relationship between variation in alcohol-related sensations and polymorphisms in bitter taste receptor genes previously linked to alcohol intake.
 
Researchers picked the two bitter receptor genes because both had previously been linked to differential alcohol intake.
 
"In contrast, variation in the burn receptor gene has not previously been linked to differences in intake but we reasoned that this gene might be important as alcohol causes burning sensations in addition to bitterness," Hayes added.
 
The findings indicate that genetic variations in taste receptors influence intensity perceptions.
 
"This is the first study to show that the sensations from alcohol vary as a function of genetics," Hayes noted.
 
The study was also the first to consider whether variation in the burn receptor gene TRPV1 might influence alcohol sensations.
 
The results are to be published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

MORE Health & Fitness ARTICLES

Fitness Tips for the Holidays!

Fitness Tips for the Holidays!
The holiday season is upon us and it’s a time to relax, sit back and enjoy the year end. Typically this is a time when there are parties, eating out and of course alcohol. The holidays are a time when people typically miss exercise sessions and their diet goes terribly wrong

Fitness Tips for the Holidays!

My 5 Favourite Nutrients: The importance of Vitamin D, Fish oils and Magnesium

My 5 Favourite Nutrients: The importance of Vitamin D, Fish oils and Magnesium
The importance of vitamin D, fish oils and magnesium The July/August issue of Darpan Magazine had a fantastic article written by Dr. Sujatha Nilavar on vitamin D and its multitude of

My 5 Favourite Nutrients: The importance of Vitamin D, Fish oils and Magnesium

It Takes Two to Give and Receive

It Takes Two to Give and Receive
In British Columbia, hundreds of individuals wait on organ recipient lists for the gift of life As the world continues to get busier and busier, many individuals forget to check off

It Takes Two to Give and Receive

Legiyam: A Diwali Tradition from the the South

Legiyam: A Diwali Tradition from the the South
Wth so many diverse sweet and savoury recipes for Diwali, it is now the time to make this yummy medicinal legiyam. In our house, we used to call it ‘marundu’ which means medicine in Tamil

Legiyam: A Diwali Tradition from the the South

Five Tips for Maintaining Healthy Smiles

Five Tips for Maintaining Healthy Smiles
Combine lights, firecrackers, presents, and of course sweets/other treats and what does it represent? Diwali of course. Regardless of its origin and local interpretations, Diwali is a day of fun, festivities and joy for people of all ages

Five Tips for Maintaining Healthy Smiles

On the Road to Good Health: Diabetes Prevention and Control

On the Road to Good Health: Diabetes Prevention and Control
Diabetes prevention and control is important for good health. If you are South Asian your chances of getting Type 2 diabetes are greater. This contributes to an increased chance for getting cardiovascular disease

On the Road to Good Health: Diabetes Prevention and Control