Salt preferences of normotensive and hypertensive older individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preference for salt in hypertensive and normotensive older individuals. Hypertensive (group 1: n=32, aged 73.7±6.3 years) or normotensive patients (group 2: n=26, aged 71.5±8.0 years) were submitted to a test to determine their preference for bread samples with different salt concentrations: 1.5%, 2.0% (usual concentration), and 2.7%, and were reevaluated 2 weeks later using the same salt concentrations, but with the addition of oregano. Twenty-four-hour urinary sodium excretion (UNaV), blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI) were obtained. Systolic BP, BMI, and UNaV were higher in group 1. In the first analysis, group 1 showed greater preference for the saltiest sample (P=.001). Comparing the first evaluation and the second, a greater preference for less salty samples was observed in both groups (P<.01). Hypertensive older patients consumed more salt and showed a greater salt preference than the normotensive patients. The use of the spice reduced the preference for salt in both groups.

Figure 1

Distribution of the preference for samples of French bread in group 1 (hypertensive elderly patients) and group 2 (normotensive elderly patients) in the first test, without oregano. 0: did not perceive a difference; 1: preferred the sample with 1.5% salt; 2: preferred the sample with 2.0% salt; 3: preferred the sample with 2.7% salt.

Figure 2

Distribution of the preference for samples of French bread in the first test (without oregano) and in the second (with oregano) in group 1 (hypertensive elderly patients). 0: did not perceive a difference; 1: preferred the sample with 1.5% salt; 2: preferred the sample with 2.0% salt; 3: preferred the sample with 2.7% salt.

Figure 3

Distribution of the preference for samples of French bread in the first test (without oregano) and in the second (with oregano) in group 2 (normotensive elderly patients). 0: did not perceive a difference; 1: preferred the sample with 1.5% salt; 2: preferred the sample with 2.0% salt; 3: preferred the sample with 2.7% salt.