Dietary compliance among salt-sensitive and salt-insensitive normotensive adults

Little is known about the customary level of sodium intake by salt-sensitive people and the nature of obstacles they face in the adoption of a reduced-sodium diet. These issues were addressed with 12 salt-sensitive (SS) and 9 salt-insensitive (SI) normotensive adults. Information about sodium consumption, taste, and blood pressure and concerns about following a diet reduced in sodium were collected at baseline and monthly while participants followed a 100 mmol Na/day diet for 4 months. Mean sodium intakes of both groups were comparable at baseline and were reduced significantly during diet. The principal dietary concerns were reduced food availability, increased food costs, and reduced food palatability. There were no group differences. Ratings declined over time, but only the food palatability issue did so significantly because of a shift by the SI only. While the predictive value of SS classification remains uncertain, these data indicate that dietary change is feasible in SS subjects.