Effects of flavor and caloric content of water on feeding behavior during food deprivation period in albino rats

Abstract

Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (two experimental and one control) each one with two females and two males. The experiment began with 10 days of free access; subsequently, group 1 maintained available a concentration of sugar and Group 2 a concentration of quinine, both diluted on water, during 5 days. Immediately both groups returned to free access for 10 days. Immediately, Group 1 was exposed to quinine concentration, and Group 2 to sugar concentration during 5 days, returning to free access for 10 days. Subsequently, both groups were exposed to a mixture of sugar, quinine and water during 5 days, followed by 10 days of free access. Finally, experimental groups were deprived of food and exposed to the mixture of water-glucose-quinine during 8 days, concluding with 10 days of free access. Control group had free access during all the experiment. Results indicate that sugar was accepted; contrarily quinine and combination were rejected. This suggests that flavor is determinant for food consumption, even of greater importance that caloric content.