A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Genetic variation plays a crucial role in individual differences in food preferences which ultimately influence food selection and health. Our current understanding of this pathway has been informed through twin studies (to assess the heritability of food preferences), candidate gene studies, and ge...
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doaj-2be8890fb6e545c58ecd9311c080f1642020-11-24T21:23:59ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432019-07-01118173510.3390/nu11081735nu11081735A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future DirectionsAntonietta Robino0Maria Pina Concas1Eulalia Catamo2Paolo Gasparini3Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyInstitute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Via dell’Istria 65/1, 34137 Trieste, ItalyGenetic variation plays a crucial role in individual differences in food preferences which ultimately influence food selection and health. Our current understanding of this pathway has been informed through twin studies (to assess the heritability of food preferences), candidate gene studies, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, most of this literature is mainly focused on genes previously identified as having taste or smell functions. New data suggests that genes not associated with taste or smell perception may be involved in food preferences and contribute to health outcomes. This review highlights these emerging findings and suggests a polygenic risk assessment approach to explore new relationships between food preferences and health risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/8/1735geneticsfood preferencesheritabilitycandidate geneGWASadipositypolygenic risk score |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Antonietta Robino Maria Pina Concas Eulalia Catamo Paolo Gasparini |
spellingShingle |
Antonietta Robino Maria Pina Concas Eulalia Catamo Paolo Gasparini A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions Nutrients genetics food preferences heritability candidate gene GWAS adiposity polygenic risk score |
author_facet |
Antonietta Robino Maria Pina Concas Eulalia Catamo Paolo Gasparini |
author_sort |
Antonietta Robino |
title |
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions |
title_short |
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions |
title_full |
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions |
title_fullStr |
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Brief Review of Genetic Approaches to the Study of Food Preferences: Current Knowledge and Future Directions |
title_sort |
brief review of genetic approaches to the study of food preferences: current knowledge and future directions |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Nutrients |
issn |
2072-6643 |
publishDate |
2019-07-01 |
description |
Genetic variation plays a crucial role in individual differences in food preferences which ultimately influence food selection and health. Our current understanding of this pathway has been informed through twin studies (to assess the heritability of food preferences), candidate gene studies, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, most of this literature is mainly focused on genes previously identified as having taste or smell functions. New data suggests that genes not associated with taste or smell perception may be involved in food preferences and contribute to health outcomes. This review highlights these emerging findings and suggests a polygenic risk assessment approach to explore new relationships between food preferences and health risks. |
topic |
genetics food preferences heritability candidate gene GWAS adiposity polygenic risk score |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/8/1735 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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