Using Herbs/Spices to Enhance the Flavor of Commonly Consumed Foods Reformulated to Be Lower in Overconsumed Dietary Components Is an Acceptable Strategy and Has the Potential to Lower Intake of Saturated Fat and Sodium: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis and Blind Tasting

BackgroundFoods lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars (ie, overconsumed dietary components) must have an acceptable flavor profile to promote intake.ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to model the influence of using herbs/spices as flavor-enhancers when reducing overconsumed dietary components in commonly consumed foods and evaluate acceptance of these flavor-enhanced reformulations.DesignTen leading sources of overconsumed dietary components were identified using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018 dietary data. These foods were reformulated to reduce overconsumed dietary components and herbs/spices were used to preserve acceptability. The influence of consumer adoption of the reformulated foods on intake of overconsumed dietary components was modeled using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Consumer acceptability of the reformulated recipes was assessed with blind taste testing.Participants/settingDietary data from adults aged 19 years and older (n = 9,812) included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018 were used to identify foods for reformulation and model the potential influence of reformulation. The blind taste testing included 85 to 107 consumers per panel.Main outcome measuresEstimated daily change in total intake of saturated fat, sodium, added sugars, and energy with intake of the reformulated foods instead of the original foods. Consumer ratings of overall liking of the reformulated recipes vs the original recipes were assessed using standard 9-point hedonic scales.Statistical analyses performedDescriptive statistics with use of survey procedures were used to model the influence of reformulated food adoption. Mixed effect models were used for analysis of the blind tasting data.ResultsWith intake of the reformulated foods, instead of the original versions, by 25% to 100% of current consumers, estimates suggest lowering of saturated fat (25% consumer adoption to 100% consumer adoption –2.9% to –11.4%, respectively), sodium (–3.2 to –11.5%, respectively), and added sugars (–0.5 to –2.7%, respectively) intake. The overall liking ratings for seven of the 10 reformulated foods were superior or at parity with the original foods.ConclusionsThis proof-of-concept research suggests that using herbs/spices to create flavor-enhanced recipes lower in overconsumed dietary components has the potential to reduce intake and is acceptable to consumers.