Contents:
- Medical Video: 9 Signs You're Eating Too Much Salt
- Taste for taste is caused by genetic factors
- Why do many people not like bitter food?
- Genetic factors for saltiness can cause adverse effects on health
- What is the limit of salt consumption in one day?
Medical Video: 9 Signs You're Eating Too Much Salt
Are you one of the people who likes salty or savory taste? Some people like saltiness, some tend to like sweet or sour taste. This is indeed influenced by the tastes of each individual. But did you know that the choice of taste and taste in food was influenced by genetics? You who like the taste of salty and savory, actually have genes that are different from other individuals.
Taste for taste is caused by genetic factors
If you are among those who like the taste of salty or savory, maybe genes can be one of the causes. This statement came from a study conducted by the American Heart Association in 2016. This study noted the dietary habits of 407 respondents who were at risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease. Not only taking notes and paying attention to their diet, respondents were also asked to carry out DNA tests.
In the final results of the study it was found that there were genetic differences, namely the TAS2R38 gene which affects the selection of taste and taste for food. So that some people from the total respondents consumed salt (from salty food) 1.9 times more than the group that did not have genetic abnormalities.
Why do many people not like bitter food?
Foods that have bitter taste are avoided by many people. However, in people who have the TAS2R38 gene, they have more ability to detect and feel the bitter taste in food. Thus, foods that are not bitter in normal people (who do not have these genes) will still feel bitter in their mouth, as in broccoli and some types of vegetables.
The more ability to feel this bitter taste actually makes them tend to choose foods with strong salty taste. This causes them to often add salt to their food to cover up the bitter taste that might arise from the food they eat.
Genetic factors for saltiness can cause adverse effects on health
Genes that affect the taste taste of food do not have a direct impact on health. However, this gene will affect the choice of one's food and change their diet. People who have the TAS2R38 gene, which tends to choose salty foods, will be at risk of developing coronary heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack.
Not only that, even in several studies it has been proven that people who like saltiness will automatically add salt to their cooking. While too much salt contains sodium which is very dangerous if too much is consumed.
In these studies, consuming too much sodium can also cause a person's cognitive abilities to decrease, reduce bone density, increase the risk of stomach cancer, and interfere with kidney function.
What is the limit of salt consumption in one day?
The American Heart Association recommends not to consume sodium (which is obtained from salt) more than 2,300 mg a day. But even better if you can consume sodium only 1,500 mg per day. A quarter teaspoon of salt contains about 600 mg of sodium. so to reduce sodium in the food you eat, you must reduce the consumption of excessive salty foods.
In addition, sodium is not only found in salt, but also in packaged foods or beverages. This should be your concern, if not then the risk you have for experiencing heart disease is getting bigger.
