Association between Salty Taste Preference and Dietary Behaviors Related to Sugar Intake among Adults

Background: Excessive sugar intake is a major global health concern, linked to elevated risks of obesity and various chronic diseases. Taste perception significantly influences dietary behaviors, yet the relationship between salty taste perception and sugar consumption remains underexplored. This study examines whether salty taste perception affects dietary behaviors related to sugar intake.Methods: A total of 139 adults (35 males and 104 females) aged 19 and older participated. Salty taste recognition thresholds and preferences were evaluated using sensory tests involving salt solutions and soup samples with varying salt concentrations. Sugar-related dietary behaviors were assessed through a 10-item questionnaire survey and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire consisted of 18 sweet-tasting foods.Results: Younger adults displayed higher sugar-related dietary scores and consumed sweet-tasting foods more frequently than middle- aged participants. While salty taste recognition thresholds showed no significant association, salty taste preferences were positively correlated with sugar-related dietary behaviors. Participants with a stronger salty taste preference exhibited a greater tendency to consume sweetened foods and beverages and preferred sugar-rich foods such as jelly, cakes, and ice cream. These correlations remained significant after adjusting for sex and age, emphasizing the link between salty taste preference and total sugar intake. Male participants consumed sugar-sweetened beverages and sweet dishes, such as bulgogi, more often than females, though no sex differences were found in overall sugar-related dietary scores.Conclusions: These findings highlight a close relationship between salty and sweet taste preferences, suggesting that individuals who prefer salty tastes may be more likely to increase their sugar intake. Understanding this interaction can help develop strategies to address excessive sugar consumption and its associated health risks.