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In conclusion, eating a lot of sweet foods does not lead to the development of a “sweet tooth” in adults.
Link to study:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41485871/
10/10
A strength of this study is that it is a large randomized controlled trial with 180 participants and a 6-month intervention period.
Limitations are that the main outcome (sweet taste liking) is subjective and energy intake was self-reported.
9/10
It remains to be seen whether these findings apply to young children, for whom a high exposure to sweetness during the early formative years may shape lifelong preferences.
8/10
Interpretation?
Increasing or decreasing sweet exposure in the diet does not affect sweet taste liking or energy intake.
These findings contradict the rationale given by public health agencies to limit sweetness in the diet.
7/10
Key findings:
Low, regular, or high sweet taste exposure had no effect on sweet taste liking
Low, regular, or high sweet taste exposure had no effect on energy intake
6/10
The diets had the following target consumption of energy from sweet foods and beverages:
• Low: 10-15% of total energy intake
• Regular: 25-30% of total energy intake
• High: 40-45% of total energy intake
5/10
This study investigated the effects of low, regular, and high sweet taste exposure diets on sweet taste liking and energy intake in 180 healthy adults.
The diets were semi-controlled; participants were provided with daily menus and ~50% of the food products from their diet.
4/10
Although there is some evidence that repeated exposure to a certain flavor (e.g. salty) can indeed lead to an increased preference for that flavor, this phenomenon is unclear for sweetness.
3/10
It is commonly believed that a high exposure to sweet tasting foods increase the liking for the sweet taste.
Based on this rationale, many public health agencies advise reducing sweetness in the diet.
2/10
Does eating a lot of sweet foods develop a "sweet tooth"?
✅6 month diet with low, regular or high sweet taste exposure
✅effects on sweet taste liking & energy intake
Let's break it down!
1/10
Follow @jorntrommelen.bsky.social for more evidence-based threads on exercise, nutrition and metabolism.
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Conclusion:
Skin with higher carotenoid levels is most attractive, melanin-rich skin shows moderate preference, and low-carotenoid skin is the least attractive.
Link to study:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25014019/
11/11
Finally, the participants were predominately white, the experiment was conducted in the UK, and cultural differences may influence results.
10/11
Limitations
The carotenoid skin tone tested represented an “optimal” hue from pilot testing. It is unclear whether more extreme carotenoid tones would be equally attractive or less attractive.
9/11
Interpretation
Pale skin may signal lower health, while tanning may partially mimic the visual effect of carotenoids or mask a low carotenoid status.
8/11
Experiment 3:
Carotenoid-rich skin was preferred over high-melanin skin (~76%).
7/11
Experiment 2:
Melanin-rich (“tanned”) skin was preferred over low-carotenoid skin (~79%).
6/11
Participants indicated which face variant they found more attractive.
Experiment 1:
Carotenoid-rich skin was preferred over low-carotenoid skin (~86%).
5/11
This study used software to create controlled versions of the same faces, differing only in skin color:
➡️ higher or lower carotenoid-related yellowness
➡️ higher or lower melanin-related darkness
4/11
Researchers call this effect “increased skin yellowness”, informally better known as a “carrot tan”.
A carrot tan is consistently rated as attractive, possibly because it signals current health and micronutrient status.
3/11
Carrots get their orange color from beta-carotene.
When consumed, beta-carotene is absorbed and accumulates in the skin and subcutaneous fat, giving the skin a yellow-gold tone.
2/11
Do carrots increase skin attractiveness?
What is more attractive?
✅ Low vs carotenoid-rich skin
✅ Low vs melanin-rich ("tanned") skin
✅ Carotenoid-rich vs melanin-rich skin
Let's break it down!
1/11
Follow @jorntrommelen.bsky.social for more evidence-based threads on exercise, nutrition and metabolism.
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In conclusion:
a greater resistance exercise volume results in a higher and more prolonged stimulation of muscle protein synthesis.
Link to study:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20581041/
11/11
A limitation is that muscle protein breakdown was not measured, even though it may also increase with a higher training volume.
10/11
A strength of this work is the unilateral study design, which enables a direct within-participant comparison of 1 vs 3 sets, thereby minimizing influences of genetic and motivational factors.
9/11
This suggests that resistance training volume (number of sets) is an important driver for muscle growth and that very low volumes may be suboptimal.
8/11
Interpretation?
Even a single set of resistance exercise results in a clear increase in MPS.
However, three sets elicit a greater and longer-lasting MPS response.
7/11
Key findings:
• Three sets produced a greater rise in early-phase MPS than one set.
• The next day, MPS remained elevated in the three-set treatment, whereas it had returned to baseline in the one-set treatment.
6/11
