Flavor enhancers are good strategy to increase dietary intake of elderly, says FNRI

by Jocelyn P. Alvarez

PAGADIAN CITY, 31 Jan. (PIA) - - Adding flavor enhancers to the dietary intake of elderly may be a good strategy in increasing the food intake of older persons to increase appetite and improve nutritional status, revealed Celina Ann Javier, Media Service, Food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in a press statement.

Javier said FNRI-DOST conducted a study to Sixty seven (67) persons aged 60 years old and above of which one group was given 0.5 grams flavor enhancer while the other group was given 0.5 grams iodized salt.

“These were added to lunch and supper of the subjects for two months. The subjects tolerated the addition of flavor enhancer and iodized salt,” the same press statement reads.

Javier said results of the study “revealed that both interventions increased the energy and all the nutrient intake of the subjects, body weight and body mass index (BMI) also increased significantly with flavor enhancer use, but not with iodized salt. “

She said that for the duration of the study, blood pressure of the subjects was also normal for both interventions and sodium in the blood of the subjects was also within the normal levels.

“This study is a scientific proof that addition of said flavor enhancers will not increase the blood pressure of older persons as long as these are used in moderation,” Javier noted.

Javier explained that older persons tend to eat less because their sense of taste and smell generally weaken as they reach the age of 60 and above. “With their weak senses, their appetite also depreciates which may result in malnutrition,” said Javier. (JPA/PIA9)