Bitter drinkers more likely to be risk-takers

IPA fans are bigger risk-takers than lager drinkers due to a thirst for bitterness, an academic study has found.

Researchers exploring the links between strong flavours and personality traits have found a thrill-seeking streak in quaffers of India Pale Ale.

Scientists conducting blind taste tests found that those attracted to the more bitter taste of IPA craved new sensations, and displayed more risk-taking behaviour than the more cautious drinkers of lager.

The study, run by Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center, adds to previous research which found links between favouring spicy food and having a more adventurous personality.

Researchers hope to use their findings to promote the consumption of more healthy bitter food and drink, including vegetables and green tea.

John Hayes, associate professor of food science, said: “Traditionally, most researchers find that people who experience bitterness more intensely avoid bitter food or drink. So with heightened bitterness, they like it less, and therefore consume it less. But here, we find that people who seek higher sensations are more risk-taking. They like bitter beer, such as India pale ales, if they also have greater bitter taste perception.”

The blind tests offered samplers Budweiser, a lagerstyle beer with low bitterness; Founder’s All-day IPA Session Ale, a fairly bitter ale; and Troeg’s Perpetual IPA as the intensely bitter

‘People who seek higher sensations are more risk-taking. They like bitter beer’

option. “Our data contradict the classic view that bitterness is merely an aversive sensation that limits intake,” said lead researcher Molly Higgins.

“Avoidance of bitter foods can impact health negatively, because bitter foods such as cruciferous vegetables, green tea and grapefruit contain healthy compounds like flavonols, which are reported to have antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties,” Ms Higgins said.

The findings were recently published in Food

Quality and Preference.