Blood glucose and sensitivity of sucrose taste throughout the menstrual cycle

Bibliography: pages [33]-35.Fasting blood glucose, taste acuity and pleasantness of sucrose were investigated throughout the menstrual cycle among ten young women. Data were collected three times per week which included measuring fasting blood glucose using the glucometer and estimating sweetness acuity by magnitude estimation, and by choosing the most pleasant solution. When the five phases of the menstrual cycle were compared, significant differences in fasting blood glucose were found. Mean glucose levels were lowest during the ovulatory and luteal phases. There was a significant negative correlation premenstrually between fasting blood glucose and the ability to distinguish between sucrose concentrations (0.04 to 0.56 percent). The follicular and ovulatory phases showed a significant negative correlation between fasting blood glucose and the pleasantness of sucrose concentrations. There was no difference found between the five phases of the menstrual cycle as a whole in the ability to distinguish between sucrose solutions. These findings indicate that fasting blood glucose levels do change during the course of the menstrual cycle and sucrose taste acuity and pleasantness are related to these changes. Further investigation in the area of blood glucose levels is needed to to determine which time of the menstrual cycle specific changes occur. With this information, a clearer understanding of food consumption behavior, particularly sucrose, can take place.M.S. (Master of Science