How salty something tastes to someone is largely influenced by how sodium ions interact with their taste buds and the signals they send to the brain. When folks eat, sodium ions tend to spread out throughout their mouths, which might make them harder to pick up on. So, to make things taste right, folks might end up adding more salt, which could mean taking in too much salt overall.

Keeping your salt intake in check doesn't mean ditching salt altogether. Salt has been a staple seasoning for humans since forever, and it's also vital for keeping your body running smoothly. Table salt is mostly made up of sodium chloride, with about 60% being chlorine and 40% sodium. Its main job is to help keep your body fluids balanced and your nerve, muscle, and heart cells working like they should.

When you're low on sodium, you might feel nauseous, get headaches, feel cranky, or with muscle weakness. In extreme cases, you could even have seizures. If you cut out sodium entirely from your diet, your body can't balance its blood salt levels, and you could end up dehydrated, which can be fatal.

If you're low on potassium, you might feel down, sleepy, or have a fast heartbeat. In serious situations, it could even lead to irregular heartbeats or a heart attack.

According to nutrition experts, most folks should aim for around 3.8 grams of salt per day to cover their basic body needs. But if you have certain health conditions, it's best to talk to a nutritionist or doctor to figure out the right amount of salt for you.

Japan's Kirin Holdings has just introduced an "electric spoon" that can zap food with electric charges in your mouth, creating a special field around your tongue. This field causes sodium ions to clump together, boosting the salty taste without actually adding more salt. So, you get 1.5 times the saltiness without upping the salt content. So, by using this method, you can actually cut back on how much salt you're consuming while still getting the same salty taste. They say it can cut your salt intake by as much as 30%, which could lower the chances of health issues like high blood pressure. It's great for folks aiming for a low-sodium diet.

The "electric spoon" has four intensity settings and doesn't vibrate or sting. It's suggested to start with the lowest setting. But if you have facial nerve issues, metal allergies, bleeding disorders, or similar conditions, it's best to avoid using this spoon.

From a scientific perspective, this concept makes sense. The salty taste primarily comes from sodium ions in food, and taste buds detect this saltiness by sensing the concentration of sodium ions. So, if there's a higher concentration of sodium ions on the tongue's surface, theoretically, it should enhance the perception of salty taste.

From a public health standpoint, cutting back on salt is crucial for preventing heart issues like high blood pressure. However, we can't quickly judge how effective or safe this technology is; it needs more testing and verification over time.

Price-wise, only 200 of these spoons will be made at first, each costing 19,800 yen. Kirin Beer Company plans to start selling them internationally next year.

More ways to control salt intake

Salt Control Bottle

It's a good idea to get a special salt control bottle to accurately measure your salt use. This bottle can hold 5g of salt and dispenses 0.3g with each press, so you won't have to worry about adding too much salt.

Choose low-sodium salt

Low-sodium salt typically means salt products where some of the sodium is replaced with potassium. However, if you have kidney issues and already have high potassium levels, your body can't get rid of potassium properly. In that case, it's best to avoid low-sodium salt. People with high blood pressure should consult their doctors and clinical nutritionists before deciding if low-sodium salt is right for them.

Try Other Spices Instead of Salt

Sour, spicy, and hot flavors can stimulate your taste buds and help reduce salt use. Sour options include vinegar and ketchup (which still contains a bit of salt). Spicy options include ginger, garlic, onion, and chili peppers. Hot options include black pepper, prickly ash, and mustard.