Is there a correlation
between tasting PTC and
liking broccoli, cabbage,
and Brussels sprouts?
Lindsey Daigneault
vs.
Class
Correlation
Strong PTC Taste
Everyone that can distinctly taste the PTC
either likes or thinks broccoli is ok
 10 people either like or think cabbage is
ok whereas 4 people dislike it
 Only 6 people like or think Brussels sprouts
are okay and 8 people dislike them

Slight PTC Taste
5
people that can slightly taste the PTC
like or think broccoli is ok and 4 people
dislike it
 Only 3 people like or think cabbage and
Brussels sprouts are ok and 6 people that
can only slightly taste the PTC dislike them
No PTC Taste
 Only
3 people that cannot taste the PTC like broccoli,
4 people think it is OK, and 2 people dislike it
 No one that cannot taste the PTC likes cabbage or
Brussels sprouts
 4 people think cabbage is OK
 3 people think Brussels sprouts are OK
 5 people dislike cabbage
 6 people dislike Brussels sprouts
Real World
Conclusions
The American Society for
Pharmacology and
Experimental Therapeutics
Studies
confirmed earlier
reports that genetically
mediated sensitivity to the
bitter taste of PTC was
associated with lowered
acceptability of Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, spinach,
and broccoli.
The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. "GENETIC TASTE
MARKERS AND FOOD PREFERENCES." DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION. The American
Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/29/4/535.full.pdf>.
Real World Experiment
 65
preschoolers
 3.5-4.5 years old at the
start of the study
 33 girls
 32 boys
**Children with allergies,
recent illnesses, or taking
medication that alter food
taste were excluded.
Initial findings:
 63% were “tasters”
 37% were “non-tasters”
 Vegetable choices:
Raw broccoli*
Cucumber*
Pitted ripe black olives *
Mini carrots
Red bell peppers
*bitter tasting vegetables
Precision Nutrition Inc. "Research Review: Bitter Blind? Why You Don't Like Broccoli...
Genetically Speaking." Precision Nutrition Coaching. Precision Nutrition Inc. Web. 17
Feb. 2012. <http://www.precisionnutrition.com/research-bitter-blind>.
Real World Experiment cont.
What did they find?
 “Non-tasters”
eat more vegetables during snack-time
than “tasters”
 92% of “non-tasters” ate some vegetables, compared
to only 68% of “tasters”
 32% of “tasters” ate no vegetables at all
 “Non-tasters” ate more bitter vegetables compared to
“tasters”, but there was no difference in broccoli
consumption
Precision Nutrition Inc. "Research Review: Bitter Blind? Why You Don't Like Broccoli... Genetically
Speaking." Precision Nutrition Coaching. Precision Nutrition Inc. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.precisionnutrition.com/research-bitter-blind>.
Bibliography

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "Bitter Taste, Phytonutrients, and the Consumer: A Review." American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec. 2000. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ajcn.org/content/72/6/1424.full>.

The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. "GENETIC TASTE MARKERS AND FOOD PREFERENCES."
DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Web. 17 Feb.
2012. <http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/29/4/535.full.pdf>.

Diet to Go. "Feature Ingredient of the Month: Broccoli." Diet Food Delivery Service & Healthy Diet Meals Delivered. Web. 17 Feb.
2012. <http://diettogo.com/blog/feature-ingredient-of-month-broccoli>. Broccoli picture.

On The Green Farms. "How To Grow Organic Brussels Sprouts." On The Green Farms. On The Green Farms. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.onthegreenfarms.com/fruit-vegetable/how-to-grow-organic-brussels-sprouts/>. Brussels sprout picture.

Online Science Mall. "P.T.C. Test Paper, Vial, PTC 100 Strips Genetics Testing Phenylthio Carbamide." - Indicator Papers. Online
Science Mall. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://onlinesciencemall.com/index.php/lab-supplies-equipment/test-papers-buffers/indicatorpapers/p-t-c-test-paper-vial-ptc-100-strips-genetics-testing-phenylthio-carbamide.html>. PTC picture.

Precision Nutrition Inc. "Research Review: Bitter Blind? Why You Don't Like Broccoli... Genetically Speaking." Precision Nutrition
Coaching. Precision Nutrition Inc. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.precisionnutrition.com/research-bitter-blind>.

University of Utah. "PTC: GENES AND BITTER TASTE." Learn.Genetics™. University of Utah. Web. 17 Feb. 2012.
<http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/ptc/>.

WordPress. "Nutrition Facts of Cabbage." Are YOU Looking for Cabbage Nutrition Facts? Here's Cabbage Nutrition Facts
Information for You! WordPress. Web. 17 Feb. 2012. <http://www.bestcheapprotein.com/cabbage-nutrition-facts>. Cabbage
picture.