[A study on the relationship of taste-sensitivity to salt-restriction in adults]

A survey of the extent of the practice of salt-restriction, duration of such salt restriction, and the ability to discriminate between different degrees of salt content, was performed in a town located in Tottori prefecture Subjects were 20 families (55 persons) where both parents and their adult children had a previous history of hypertension, 38 families (111 persons) where either or both parents had a previous history of hypertension, and 33 families (99 persons) where both parents and their adult children had no history of hypertension. Sensitivity to salt-taste and the relation between the practice of salt-restriction and sensitivity to salt-taste were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows: 1. For persons with histories of hypertension current practice of salt-restriction was significantly greater degree of preference for salt-taste was lower, and the duration of salt-restriction period was longer than those persons without a history of hypertension. 2. Families where both parents and their adult children had histories of hypertension had the highest percentage of these practicing salt-restriction and the largest representation of those who practiced it for a long duration. 3. Those who restricted salt use for a long time also showed a low preference for salt-taste. 4. The sensitivity to salt-taste was much higher in persons who had histories of hypertension than others. 5. Sensitivity to salt-taste was much higher in families where both parents and their adult children had histories of hypertension than others. 6. In families where both parents and adult children had histories of hypertension, significant relationship were observed between parents and their adult children and between husbands and wives in sensitivity to salt-taste.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)