HEMODIALYSIS INCREASES THE PREFERENCE FOR SALT IN SOUP

Eighteen hemodialysis patients rated 7 concentrations of salt in soup immediately before dialysis and 24 h later. Preference ratings were hi gher after dialysis. Patients over 65 years old did not increase their ratings. Hypertensive patients increased their preference for salt af ter dialysis like normotensives, but rated lower concentrations of sal t as more intense and were less able to discriminate the intensity of salt taste. The findings suggest that humans may respond to reductions in bodily sodium with a delayed increase in preference for salt. Copy right (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.