Menstrual cycle and sex differences influence salt preference.

Previous studies demonstrate that some women have a greater preference for palatable high-sugar and high-fat foods premenstrually. Because salt may also be considered palatable, it was of interest to discover whether salt preference also varies. To determine whether there are differences in salt preference across the menstrual cycle, 49 women and 31 men rated popcorn sprayed with five different concentrations (0M, 1M, 2M, 3M, 3M+) of salt solution. Between-subjects comparisons of women revealed that those tested in separate weeks of their menstrual cycle had differing preferences for salt. Specifically, women in their luteal week preferred unsalted popcorn (0M) significantly less than women tested during their ovulatory or follicular weeks. Women in the menstrual week also tended to find the saltiest popcorn (3M+) much less palatable than women tested in their follicular, luteal, or ovulatory weeks. When men's and women's preference ratings of the same stimuli were compared, an overall sex difference was found. Men liked the mildly salty popcorn (2M) more than women. There were no significant differences in perceived saltiness ratings between men and women or among women tested in different weeks of their cycle.