Fat taste sensitivity (CD36)

CD36 is a receptor on the tongue that helps you detect fat in food. A common variant lowers how much CD36 you make, which can make fatty foods register less strongly, so some people add more fat to reach the same satisfying mouthfeel.

Possible results

Higher fat-taste sensitivity. You have two copies of the higher-CD36 version, so you likely detect fat in food more keenly. People like this sometimes find very fatty foods rich or heavy, and a little fat goes a long way.

Intermediate fat-taste sensitivity. You carry one copy of the lower-CD36 variant, placing your sensitivity to the taste of fat somewhere in the middle. Many people are here, and habit and overall diet matter more than this gene.

Lower fat-taste sensitivity. You have two copies of the lower-CD36 variant, so fatty foods may register less strongly for you. Some people like this add more fat or oil to reach the same satisfying mouthfeel, which is worth being aware of for portion sizes.

Evidence & sources

Across global populations, about 24% of people carry two copies of this variant, and about 28% carry none.

Related

Alcohol response (flushing & dependence risk) · Beta-carotene to vitamin A conversion (BCO1) · Folate metabolism (MTHFR gene) · HDL cholesterol · Omega-3/6 conversion efficiency · Sweet tooth / carbohydrate preference (FGF21) · Total cholesterol