Why do people tend to eat more salty foods as they age?

Many people are worried about their health because of their habit of eating salty foods. Especially as they get older, they tend to seek out more salty foods. What is the reason for this?

There are over 8,000 taste cells on the tongue that can detect flavors. These cells decrease around the age of 45, and after age 60, their degeneration accelerates, leading to a diminished ability to taste. In particular, the senses of salty and sweet tastes decline. As a result, even when eating the same food, it may taste bland compared to the past, leading to the addition of more salt or sugar.

 

If saliva is insufficient, food and saliva in the mouth do not mix well, and the taste buds are not properly stimulated, leading to a preference for saltier and sweeter foods. To increase saliva production, it is helpful to frequently eat sour fruits like tangerines and oranges.

 

In elderly individuals suffering from chronic diseases, their sense of taste may become dulled due to the medications they take. Drugs for diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis can promote the excretion of zinc, which is an essential nutrient for the regeneration of taste cells. When the body is deficient in zinc, the regeneration of taste cells slows down, and they are unable to perceive flavors as before. In such cases, it is beneficial to consume zinc-rich foods such as shellfish and oysters, liver from beef, pork, or chicken, and green and yellow vegetables like radish, parsley, and carrots.

 

People aged 50 and above should maintain a diet that reduces salt intake while also working to slow down the aging of taste cells.

 

Reduce salted side dishes such as salted fermented seafood and pickled vegetables

 

▲Eat mainly the solid ingredients of stews and soups, and consume less of the broth.

 

Reduce dining out since restaurant foods contain a lot of salt and seasonings.

 

Treat nasal conditions that impair the sense of smell and make it difficult to taste promptly.

 

▲ Chewing food thoroughly and carefully

 

▲Avoid consuming caffeine or nicotine as they destroy taste cells and dry out saliva, impairing taste discrimination ability.

 

Brushing the tongue well to prevent bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms from proliferating between the taste buds (sensory cells that detect taste) helps maintain oral hygiene.

 

Source: Health Chosun