Abstract P327: Inter-individual Difference in Sensitivity of Aversive Salt Taste
Salt is an indispensable nutrient, but excessive amount of salt intake becomes harmful. In order to prevent excessive intake of salt, there is a mechanism to feel high concentration salt as an aversive taste. In recent years, it has clarified that high concentration salt stimulates different taste buds from those sensed by low concentration of salt. In this study, we analyzed relationship between inter-individual difference in sensitivity of aversive salt taste and amounts of daily salt intake. After obtained written informed consent, 1,254 individuals who came annual health checkups were recruited for this study. To test aversive salt taste, five different saline solutions (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%) were prepared. They started drinking of salt solution from low to high concentration of solutions. In each trial of drinking the salt solution, they were asked whether they were capable of drinking it. When they felt to avoid drinking the salt solution, salt concentration of the solution was recorded as sensitivity of aversive salt taste. Amount of daily salt intake was estimated by using spot urine and by dietary questionnaire. As a result, 784(63%) and 267(21 %) of individuals felt up to the 1.5% and 2% of salt solution as aversive salt taste, respectively. Hence, their sensitivities of aversive salt taste were 1.5% or 2% of salt solutions, respectively. However, resting 203(16%) of individuals showed capability to drink 2% of salt solution. Although we compared sensitivities of aversive salt taste of each individual and daily salt intake that estimated by urine, there were no difference between them. However, daily salt intake that estimated by dietary questionnaire showed clear relationship, in which individuals with the high sensitivities of aversive salt taste consumed the more amount of salt.