Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods

Globally, dietary salt intake significantly exceeds the WHO's recommendations of 5 g/day. A high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure which increases the risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It is known that some foods are perceived as saltier than their a...

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Main Authors: Sara R. Jaeger, Hanna Johannesson, Josefin Svensson, Madeleine Jönsson, Anna Calvén, Karin Wendin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Science Talks
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772569325000386
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author Sara R. Jaeger
Hanna Johannesson
Josefin Svensson
Madeleine Jönsson
Anna Calvén
Karin Wendin
author_facet Sara R. Jaeger
Hanna Johannesson
Josefin Svensson
Madeleine Jönsson
Anna Calvén
Karin Wendin
author_sort Sara R. Jaeger
collection DOAJ
description Globally, dietary salt intake significantly exceeds the WHO's recommendations of 5 g/day. A high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure which increases the risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It is known that some foods are perceived as saltier than their actual salt content. Such foods may have a “salt substitution potential” to be used in product development of food that are perceived saltier than their actual salt content.The aim was 1) to quantify perception of saltiness in a broad range of foods as perceived by consumers; 2) to identify foods that have a high “salt substitution potential”.318 participants answered an online survey on perceived saltiness of 59 common foods. By comparing actual salt content with perceived saltiness, a “salt substitution index” was calculated for each of the food items.Results showed that balsamic vinegar, followed by tomato puree and cheese pufs had the high salt substitution potential. Perception of a higher salinity than the actual salt content may be explained by the distribution of salt. It may also be explained by associations to saltiness, preferences and sensitivity. This may help guide reduced-salt product innovation efforts and contribute to improved dietary health.
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spelling doaj-art-b2f6e291d2fb4c5b8ddca98e5484e0e62025-08-20T03:10:28ZengElsevierScience Talks2772-56932025-06-011410045610.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100456Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foodsSara R. Jaeger0Hanna Johannesson1Josefin Svensson2Madeleine Jönsson3Anna Calvén4Karin Wendin5Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, DenmarkDepartment of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, SwedenDepartment of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, SwedenDepartment of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, SwedenDepartment of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, SwedenDepartment of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, Sweden; Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Corresponding author at: Department of Food and Meal Science, Kristianstad University, Sweden.Globally, dietary salt intake significantly exceeds the WHO's recommendations of 5 g/day. A high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure which increases the risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It is known that some foods are perceived as saltier than their actual salt content. Such foods may have a “salt substitution potential” to be used in product development of food that are perceived saltier than their actual salt content.The aim was 1) to quantify perception of saltiness in a broad range of foods as perceived by consumers; 2) to identify foods that have a high “salt substitution potential”.318 participants answered an online survey on perceived saltiness of 59 common foods. By comparing actual salt content with perceived saltiness, a “salt substitution index” was calculated for each of the food items.Results showed that balsamic vinegar, followed by tomato puree and cheese pufs had the high salt substitution potential. Perception of a higher salinity than the actual salt content may be explained by the distribution of salt. It may also be explained by associations to saltiness, preferences and sensitivity. This may help guide reduced-salt product innovation efforts and contribute to improved dietary health.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772569325000386SaltSalt reductionSensoryHealthPerceived saltiness
spellingShingle Sara R. Jaeger
Hanna Johannesson
Josefin Svensson
Madeleine Jönsson
Anna Calvén
Karin Wendin
Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
Science Talks
Salt
Salt reduction
Sensory
Health
Perceived saltiness
title Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
title_full Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
title_fullStr Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
title_full_unstemmed Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
title_short Perceived food saltiness vs actual NaCl content – An inspiration for innovation of reduced-salt foods
title_sort perceived food saltiness vs actual nacl content an inspiration for innovation of reduced salt foods
topic Salt
Salt reduction
Sensory
Health
Perceived saltiness
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772569325000386
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