Abstract
Given the rising burden of diet-related chronic disease and the importance of women's health, understanding the factors driving women's dietary patterns has become critical. Sensory perception, a key determinant of food preference and choices, has gained particular attention in nutrition and clinical research. The current study aimed to profile individual macronutrient intake based on an ad libitum consumption task, and test for their links to olfactory, gustatory, and flavour perception, specifically focusing on supra-threshold sensitivity, hedonic, and intensity responses. With a cohort of 77 female participants, two dietary clusters were identified by k-means cluster analysis – a high-protein/fat cluster (n = 59; 76.6%) and a high-carbohydrate cluster (n = 18; 23.4%). Moderate correlations were observed between macronutrient intake from the ad libitum task and four-day weighted food records for carbohydrate (r = 0.34, p = 0.008) and fat (r = 0.34, p = 0.009). The results showed that sensitivity to two odour stimuli (maltol/furaneol and methional) and one flavour stimulus (dairy fat) was significantly associated with carbohydrate and fat intake, and hedonic responses to these stimuli were positively related to nutrient consumption. Further, sensitivity to maltol/furaneol was positively correlated with carbohydrate intake (ρ = 0.30, p < 0.01), but negatively correlated with fat intake (ρ = 0.31, p < 0.01). Overall, these findings reveal macronutrient-specific sensory profiles in women, highlighting the potential of olfactory and flavour-based strategies to encourage healthier dietary choices and improve long-term health outcomes in women.