Human ingestive behavior depends on myriad factors, including both sensory and non-sensory determinants. Of the sensory determinants, sweet taste is a powerful stimulus and liking for sweetness is widely accepted as an innate human trait. However, the universality of sweet-liking has been challenged. Sub-groups exhibiting strong liking (sweet likers) or having aversive responses to sweet taste (sweet dislikers) have been described, but the methods defining these phenotypes are varied and inconsistent across studies. Here, we explore the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches in identifying sweet taste liker phenotypes in a comprehensive review. Prior studies (N = 71) using aqueous sucrose solution-based taste tests and a definition of two or more distinct hedonic responses reported between 1970 and 2017 were summarized. Broadly speaking, four different phenotyping methods have been used: 1. Interpretation (visual or statistical) of the shape of hedonic response curves, 2. Highest preference using ratings, 3. Average liking above mid-point or Positive/Negative average liking method, and 4. Highest preference via paired comparisons. Key methodological weaknesses included the use of subjective or arbitrary criteria as well as adoption of protocols unsuitable for large-scale implementation. Overall, we did not identify a method distinctly superior to the others. Given the role of both hedonics and reward in food intake, a better understanding of individual variations in sweet taste perception could clarify how sweet-liking interplays with obesity or addictive behaviors such as alcohol misuse and abuse. The development of a universally used statistically robust and less time-consuming classification method is needed.

中文翻译：

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重新考虑甜味喜欢者表型的分类：方法学评论

人类的摄取行为取决于无数因素，包括感官和非感官决定因素。在感官决定因素中，甜味是一种强大的刺激，对甜味的喜好被广泛接受为人类的先天特征。然而，喜欢甜蜜的普遍性受到了挑战。已经描述了表现出强烈喜好（喜欢甜食者）或对甜味有厌恶反应（不喜欢甜食者）的亚组，但定义这些表型的方法在研究中各不相同且不一致。在这里，我们在综合综述中探讨了不同方法学方法在识别甜味相似表型方面的优缺点。之前的研究 (N = 71) 使用基于蔗糖水溶液的味觉测试和 1970 年至 2017 年报告的两种或多种不同快感反应的定义进行了总结。从广义上讲，已经使用了四种不同的表型分析方法：1. 对快感响应曲线形状的解释（视觉或统计），2. 使用评级的最高偏好，3. 中点以上的平均喜好或正/负平均喜好方法，和 4. 通过配对比较获得的最高偏好。主要的方法学弱点包括使用主观或任意标准以及采用不适合大规模实施的协议。总的来说，我们没有发现一种明显优于其他方法的方法。鉴于享乐和奖励在食物摄入中的作用，更好地了解甜味感知的个体差异可以阐明喜欢甜味与肥胖或酒精滥用和滥用等成瘾行为之间的相互作用。