Conditioned Taste Aversion Diminishes Sugar Intake

Alma Gabriela Martínez Moreno, Antonio López-Espinoza, Imelda de León López, Laura Vanesa Solano Santos, Fernando Hernández- Leonardo

Behavioral Feeding and Nutrition Research Center, CUSur, University of Guadalajara, Ciudad Guzmán, México.

DOI: 10.4236/fns.2014.511110                

Abstract

Animals learn to avoid particular food when some of its sensory properties are associated with gastrointestinal discomfort. Twenty rats were exposed to free access to food and a sugar solution for ten days in first phase. During second phase, experimental group received a dose of LiCl. Control group received an injection without LiCl. Both groups had free access to a sugar solution and food restriction for three days. In the final phase, both groups returned to the conditions of first phase. Results showed a significant decrease in sugar intake after aversive conditioning regarding the intake registered in the initial phase in experimental group. Control group did not show any differences in its sugar intake before and after the experimental manipulation. The procedure carried out is discussed as a means to decrease sugar intake.

Keywords

Sugar, LiCl, Conditioned Taste Aversion, Rats

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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