Salt Tooth Over Sweet Tooth

According to Live Science writer, Sara G. Miller, there's such a thing as a salt tooth, in addition to the more commonly known sweet tooth. It was discovered that certain people carry a gene that make them crave or want a taste of salt more than normal. The variation of a gene known as TAS2R48 that were found in some of the people that took part in this study. These people were more likely to eat an overload of sodium compared to the people who did not have the gene variant. This research was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions meeting just recently. The lead author of this study is a Ph.D student at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing would like to identify the gene variant that a person has in order to help them make better food choices. I think this idea is fantastic and could really help the obesity problem that is found in the United States. It is also a good idea for people with food allergies and diseases. In order to this, there is need for more research in this area in order to comprehend how a person's genes impact how much sodium they eat.

On average, the limit of the sodium in a person's diet is supposed to be 2,300 milligrams per day. If this is exceeded, high blood pressure can be developed. In those who had the variation of the gene TAS2R48, they were nearly twice likely to exceed the supposed milligrams of sodium per day. These gene has previously been linked to sense of taste when looking at a person's perception of bitterness. This can be one of the reasons why people with the variation avoid broccoli and dark, leafy greens. So those with the gene variation, taste bitter and taste salt more intensely. Or maybe a theory is that the bitter taste of food is masked with salt through increasing the consumption of sodium, according to Smith. During the study, food diaries were looked at for more than 400 people, their DNA was also analyzed and all participants had a heightened risk for heart disease. In addition to salt consumption, saturated fat, sugar and alcohol consumption was looked at,but no variations in the gene effected this.    

Sweet Tooth? Now it's Salt Tooth?

Everyone knows about the sweet tooth, but do you have a salt tooth?

Studies have found a gene, TAS2R48, that codes for a taste for salt, but no need to be salty about it (sorry for the pun, saw an opportunity and I took it), it's just that you would prefer saltier foods than any other, which is useful information for the American Heart Association.

We all know that the AHA recommends a limited amount of sodium in our diet, but people that express a preference for salt, are going to have a much more difficult time cutting down on the salt.  These people, because of TAS2R48 are at much higher risk of high blood pressure. Those in the study that had the gene were found to exceed the daily limit of sodium recommended by the AHA, 2,300mg. In previous study, researches suggested that the people that had the variation of gene for salt preference also enhanced their bitter tastes. "There is some research suggesting that individuals who taste bitter more intensely may also taste salt more intensely and enjoy it more, leading to increased sodium intake," Jennifer Smith, a Phd nursing student at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, said in a statement.

So if you have the salt gene, TAS2R48, be mindful of sprinkling more salt on your vegetables and cut down on the ramen!