Preference and sensitivity to salt taste as determinants of salt-intake.

Total salt-intake was estimated in 33 normal subjects using urinary sodium excretion over 7 days, and table and cooking salt use were measured over the same period. Sensitivity to salt taste was measured for 31 of these subjects using a seven-category rating scale for intensity of saltiness with five concentrations of salt in water, bread and mashed potato. Preferences were assessed using a nine-category hedonic rating scale with the bread and mashed potato to determine the maximally-preferred concentration. No differences were found in the taste measures between subjects divided into high and low intake in terms of total salt-intake or total intake divided by body weight. However, differences were found in sensitivity and preferences between groups divided into high and low table salt use. This may be because the major proportion of total salt-intake arose from salt present in foods and this would not be so open to voluntary control as table salt use.