Effect of age, sex and illness on salt taste detection thresholds.

Salt taste detection thresholds have been measured by a forced-choice, up-down sip method in 146 healthy subjects aged 10-95 years, and in 43 ill elderly patients. Thresholds are shown to increase log linearly with age after the age of 20 years. Thresholds are higher in smokers than non-smokers and the lower thresholds of women are accounted for by their lower prevalence of smoking. Ill patients have higher thresholds than healthy subjects of the same age and this is not specifically associated with any diagnosis. The methodology of taste threshold measurement and earlier studies of taste thresholds are reviewed.