Effects of a Six-Day Whole-Diet Intervention on Taste Perception and Dietary Behaviour in Young Adults

Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of a specific diet modification on the pleasantness, desire, and saltiness intensities of selected foods and an ad libitum breakfast buffet through a randomized controlled trial with three arms. Participants will be randomized to either increase, decrease, or make no change to their daily intake of foods with a specific taste for six consecutive days, and outcomes will be assessed at two time points, at baseline (Day 1) and after the intervention (Day 7), alongside measures of adherence to the assigned diet. Each participant will receive an instruction to modify specific aspects of their diets for six days. This study is crucial for addressing diet-related health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in Malaysia. By providing robust evidence on the effectiveness of specific diet modifications, the study can inform public health policies, improve dietary recommendations tailored to Malaysian cultural preferences, and promote long-term benefits.

Conditions

• Sodium Excess
• Hypertension
• Salty Taste

Interventions

OTHER

Experimental: Increased Salty Food Intake

Participants assigned to the increase group were instructed to increase their consumption of salty-tasting foods and beverages for six consecutive days (Days 1-6) while living in their usual environment. Participants selected their own foods and beverages but were encouraged to choose options consistent with a higher-salt dietary pattern. Written guidance and meal examples were provided to support implementation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (Day 1) and after the intervention (Day 7).

OTHER

Experimental: Decrease Salty Food Intake

Participants assigned to the decrease group were instructed to reduce their consumption of salty-tasting foods and beverages for six consecutive days (Days 1-6). Participants selected their own foods and beverages while attempting to minimize intake of high-salt items according to written guidance and examples. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (Day 1) and after the intervention (Day 7). A six-day, self-directed dietary intervention designed to reduce exposure to salty foods and beverages under free-living conditions. Participants modified their habitual diet without direct provision of foods by the investigators

OTHER

Active Comparator: Maintain Usual Diet

Participants assigned to the maintain group were instructed to continue their usual eating habits and dietary practices for six consecutive days without making deliberate changes to salty food consumption. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (Day 1) and after the intervention (Day 7). A six-day control condition in which participants maintained their habitual dietary intake under free-living conditions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sunway University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Yee-How Say, PhD · Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-01

Primary Completion

2026-07-31

Completion

2026-07-31

Countries

• Malaysia

Study Locations