Artificial Sweetener Aftertaste - Can You Taste It?

LCarmen Sandiego on 15/01/2018 - 16:28
Last edited 15/01/2018 - 16:54

After reading the post about Coke No Sugar Coffee flavour, it got me thinking - How many people actually taste the artificial sweetener aftertastes?

For years, people have stared at me like I was crazy when I mentioned a bitterness on the back of my tongue I have literally had to scrape away. Whether it be soft drinks or chocolate, each one leaves me with a bitter or sour aftertaste that makes me regret eating the item in the first place…

Consider this half social research, half "Come brethren who have taste buds left. Rejoice in the community."

(Side note - who can taste the difference between water brands/types?)

Poll Options

  • 36
    Yes, I have taste buds.
  • 7
    Yes, but I don't care.
  • 7
    No, what do you mean?
  • 1
    Sugar is good in all its forms, natural and otherwise
  • 2
    [Random 5th option]
Food & Grocery

Comments

  • airal3rt on 15/01/2018 - 16:32
    +10

    Both for the unknown long-term health impact and the unpleasant aftertaste, I avoid artificial sweeteners of all varieties. Blergh.

    90% of the sugars in my diet are comprised of naturally occurring sugars in fresh fruit and vegetables, lactose etc as opposed to bread, juice, muffins and that kind of garbage. That way when I do eat some Toblerone or whatever it tastes amazing, and I'm not constantly running on sugar nor a slurry of artificial sweeteners and additives.

    (Side note - who can taste the difference between water brands/types?)

    I can count on my fingers the number of times I've purchased bottled water in my life. Paying absurd prices for water instead of getting it from a tap seems antithetical to the OzBargain spirit. That said, tap water in South-East Melbourne (Cardinia reservoir) tastes a lot better than some funky tap water I've experienced interstate/overseas.

    • Carmen Sandiego on 15/01/2018 - 16:53

      Oh, thank god I'm not going crazy (much?)

      I do indulge in things that do have artificial sweeteners but, I've found as I've grown older than I'm tolerating them far less than I did pre-age 25 :( But that sounds like good advice :) I will try that.

      As for the water, I'm rather partial to Brita filtered water as it's nicely sweet to me :)

    • try2bhelpful on 15/01/2018 - 17:47
      +1

      I can taste the difference with bottled water if it is carbonated, otherwise I prefer tap water. I hate artificial sweeteners, they have a tinny taste to me, and the studies indicate they aren't good for you as they just train your palate for eating sweet things.

    • Quantumcat on 16/01/2018 - 08:32

      I was living on a farm for 2 years until recently, and my tap water came from a bore, so I drank bottled water (as the bore water tasted awful), gave my cats bottled water (was afraid their water fountain would cark it if I didn't), and used bottled water in the kettle (or I would have to descale it every second time I used it). Bottled water has its uses.

  • Diji1 on 15/01/2018 - 17:18
    +1

    If you eat sugar everything tastes bland except sugar.

  • pennypincher98 on 15/01/2018 - 17:23
    +2

    I know exactly what you mean. Which is why I avoid these things and just have sugar instead :P Haha not a real solution but once I get diabetes then I'll stop. I don't consume that much excessive sugar, but make sure to strictly limit my artificial sweeteners and all that.

    And yes, some water tastes so much better and clearer (that make sense?) than others. Even just Sydney vs Central Coast water. Definitely Australia vs America water.

  • retiredfeline on 15/01/2018 - 17:34
    +2

    For years, people have stared at me like I was crazy when I mentioned a bitterness on the back of my tongue I have literally had to scrape away.

    It may be partly genetic, some people taste things others can't. For example there are people who hate coriander while others love it. It turns out there are genes that affect the receptors.

    • loulou1 on 15/01/2018 - 18:13
      +1

      I hate Coriander! I also get the aftertaste with artificial sweeteners.

    • Carmen Sandiego on 16/01/2018 - 08:54

      I love coriander :) So does my dad. My mum, on the other hand, hates it :P

      However, she's expressed the same sentiments when it comes to artificial sweeteners. I have yet to ask my dad.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/01/2018 - 10:03

      coriander is disgusting

  • scrimshaw on 15/01/2018 - 18:18
    +1

    I tried making dessert and baking with Stevia — it certainly doesn't taste anything like real sugar and the aftertaste (actually just the whole taste in general) is very off-putting and yucky.

    However in small amounts it's fine, larger amounts give it a hybrid of both sour and bitter which is unpleasant.

  • conan2000 on 15/01/2018 - 21:01
    +1

    Yup, I wouldn't say it's bitter, but definitely a strange aftertaste/mouthfeel after having artificial sweeteners. And yeah, bottled waters taste different as well.

  • Quantumcat on 16/01/2018 - 08:38
    +1

    I always have a liquid sweetener in my tea and hot chocolate. Not because I am health conscious but because:
    a) it is cheaper - a bottle lasts about a year and a half (only 2-3 drops per cup) and cost maybe $3 while a 500g bag of sugar is about $2 and only lasts maybe 3 months
    b) it mixes evenly without any effort - one quick stir (or no stir at all) and the sweetness is completely evenly spread whereas with sugar, you have to stir it a lot, and even then it likes to settle down in the bottom of the cup so 75% of your drink tastes fine and then the last 25% is disgustingly sweet and there's sugar sludge at the bottom.
    c) haven't come across anything I make that tastes worse with liquid sweetener - e.g. meringues, rice pudding

    Although I like coriander (in chicken soup and thai dishes) so maybe I'm one of the ones that can't detect the supposed aftertaste

    • registereduser82 on 27/11/2018 - 11:58

      Which sweetener? I'm struggling with aftertaste too 😬

  • myusername on 16/01/2018 - 08:59
    +1

    i think we are at the same point in time on the sugar debate as they were on nicotine in the 70's

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