Taste Preference for Salt Predicts Salt Intake in a Chinese Population

This study describes the association between taste preference for salt and actual salt intake, thus guiding and refining personal and public health campaigns designed to lower salt intake in China.

A cross-sectional survey of 1489 residents aged 18 to 69 years was conducted in 2017 in China. A multistage random sampling strategy was used, and a combination of questionnaires and physical and laboratory measurements were conducted to collect baseline characteristics and knowledge, attitudes, and behavior (KAB) related to salt. A 24 h urine collection was obtained for sodium and potassium excretion analysis. Participants were divided into two groups, light taste preference and salty taste preference, according to their answer to the question "Compared to others, how do you think your taste preference is for salt?".

The mean age of the 1489 participants was 46.26 years, 48.9% were males, over 1/3 (35.7%) were identified as hypertensive, and 317 (21.3%) self-reported a salty taste preference. The mean of 24 h urinary sodium excretion was 167.32 mmol/24 h, corresponding to 9.79 g salt/d intake, and the sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na/K) was 4.90. The 24 h urinary sodium excretion of salty taste preference (177.06 mmol/24 h) was significantly higher than that of light taste preference (164.69 mmol/24 h). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the salty taste preference group had significantly higher 24 h urinary sodium (ORa(95%CI) = 1.004(1.002-1.006)), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), proportion of greasy food preference, and drinking levels, but lower potassium excretion, response levels to most KAB questions, and regular physical activity compared to the light taste preference group.

Self-reported taste preference for salt predicted actual salt intake, which was verified by 24 h urinary sodium monitoring. Taste preference for salt could be used as a proxy for intake in terms of targeted salt intake, nutrition, and health education.