J Korean Med Sci.  2014 Sep;29(Suppl 2):S91-S96. 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S2.S91.

Not Salt Taste Perception but Self-Reported Salt Eating Habit Predicts Actual Salt Intake

• Lee H
• Cho HJ
• Bae E
• Kim YC
• Kim S
• Chin HJ

• KMID: 2069798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S2.S91

Abstract

Excessive dietary salt intake is related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although dietary salt restriction is essential, it is difficult to achieve because of salt palatability. However, the association between salt perception or salt eating habit and actual salt intake remains uncertain. In this study, we recruited 74 healthy young individuals. We investigated their salt-eating habits by questionnaire and salt taste threshold through a rating scale that used serial dilution of a sodium chloride solution. Predicted 24-hr urinary salt excretions using Kawasaki's and Tanaka's equations estimated dietary salt intake. Participants' mean age was 35 yr, and 59.5% were male. Salt sense threshold did not show any relationship with actual salt intake and a salt-eating habit. However, those eating "salty" foods showed higher blood pressure (P for trend=0.048) and higher body mass index (BMI; P for trend=0.043). Moreover, a salty eating habit was a significant predictor for actual salt intake (regression coefficient [beta] for Kawasaki's equation 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10-2.69, P=0.048; beta for Tanaka's equation 0.66, 95% CI 0.01-1.31, P=0.047). In conclusion, a self-reported salt-eating habit, not salt taste threshold predicts actual salt intake.

Keyword

Salt-Eating Habit; Salt Taste Threshold; Salt Intake

MeSH Terms

Adult
Algorithms
Blood Pressure
Body Mass Index
Demography
Female
Habits
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Questionnaires
Self Report
Sodium Chloride, Dietary/*urine
Taste Perception
Taste Threshold
Urine Specimen Collection
Sodium Chloride, Dietary

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Estimated 24-hr urinary salt excretion according to self-reported salt eating habit.

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  Fig. 2 Salt taste threshold according to sex.

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  Fig. 3 Proportion of salt taste threshold according to self-reported salt eating habit.

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