Sweet taste exposure and sweet taste intake

This project aims to investigate the impact of sweet taste exposure on sweet taste preferences and intakes. Recent guidelines recommend a global reduction in free sugar consumption, and various public health bodies suggest reducing the consumption of sweet tasting foods to facilitate this, but the impact of (reduced) sweet taste exposure on sweet taste preferences and intakes remains unknown. The work will involve the largest randomised controlled trial to date, where 150 healthy normal or overweight adults will be allocated to undertake one of three diets for six months, and outcomes including sweetness preferences, perceptions of sweetness intensity, food choice, dietary intake, body weight and adverse events will be assessed. In advance of the trial, several required measures must also be developed and validated. The work is intended to provide fundamental knowledge on the impact of sweet taste exposure on sweet taste preferences, sweet food intakes and a variety of dietary measures, including body weight. These findings will provide evidence for recommendations to reduce sweet food intake and sweetness levels in foods, and will aid the food industry in formulating and reformulating food products. Secondary outcomes include the development of novel measures for use in this upcoming area of research.

The project is funded by Bournemouth University, UK, and Wageningen University, NL, and the work will be undertaken in Bournemouth and Wageningen, so the student must be willing to work in both places for extended periods.
Project Timeline: The project will be undertaken in three years: Months 1-3: Literature familiarisation; Study set-up; Months 4-11: Development and validation of FFQ and test foods; Month 12: Year 1 major review; Months 13-31: Write-up and publication of FFQ work and test food work; RCT running; Months 32-36: Write-up of RCT; and PhD thesis.

Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.

The PhD Studentships are open to UK, EU and international students. Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years and must demonstrate:

• A 1st class honours degree and/or a relevant Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent. If English is not your first language you’ll need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component).

Additional Eligibility
- The candidate must be willing to work in both the UK and the Netherlands for periods for this project.