Change in taste preference in undernourished elderly hospitalized subjects during periods of infection and convalescence.

AIM

To determine the impact of taste pleasure supplements on modifications of food intake in hospitalized frail elderly patients.

METHODS

Thirty hospitalized frail elderly patients tasted different formulas of a high-protein coffee supplement: -supplement C, commercial version; - supplement CA with artificial coffee flavor; - supplement CS with sucrose and - supplement CAS with sucrose and artificial coffee flavor. The preference for the supplements was analyzed by the Friedman test followed by a post hoc Tukey's test. The food intakes in each period were compared by repeated ANOVA and the food intakes of the two periods were compared using Student's t test. All measurements were made during periods of infection and convalescence.

RESULTS

The supplements CAS and CS were significantly more appreciated than the current commercial version C (P < .05). The patients could be classified into two groups: consumers (consuming the supplements) and nonconsumers (just tasting the supplements). Taking supplements can increase the total energy intake for consumers (P < .01), especially during periods of infection; no modification was observed in the non-consumers.

CONCLUSION

The use of supplements to increase sensory pleasure can be one feasible way to increase energy intake in hospitalized elderly patients with an infectious disease.