GUSTATORY AND FOOD HABIT CHANGES DURING THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE

Gustatory and food habit changes during the menstrual cycle were studi ed in 8 women, 6 smokers and 2 non-smokers, aged 23-37 years. The foll owing parameters were evaluated during three consecutive menstrual cyc les: blood oestradiol and progesterone levels on the 7th, 14th and 21s t day of each cycle (radioimmunoassay); detection and recognition thre sholds and concentration preferences for sucrose, sodium chloride, cit ric acid and quinine sulphate on the 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of ea ch cycle; food consumption (weighed record) oil days 1 and 2, 6-8, 13- 15 and 20-22 of each cycle. The four basic tastes were influenced diff erently by blood hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Sensitivit y to sweet taste increased with an increase of oestradiol, while sensi tivity to bitter taste increased with an increase of progesterone. No correlations between hormone levels and acid taste, and only a few cor relations for salt taste were found. Food habits changed during the cy cle particularly for meat and fruit. Vegetables and cereals showed onl y a tendency to vary. In correspondence with the highest oestradiol va lues there was a tendency towards lower energy intake, -122 kcal (-0.5 1 MJ) = 8%, predominantly provided by carbohydrates (as bread).