Study of Taste Changes for Salt and Restriction of Salt in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Summary We studied the salt taste change during pregnancy and investigated its meaning in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia female in salt restriction. 40 normal pregnant female, 35 pregnant female with preeclampsia and 64 healthy non-pregnant female were recruited to this study. Gustatory test was performed with the filter-paper disk method. Salt solutions, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 weight % were made from reagent grade sodium chloride and distilled water. The threshold of salt taste in pregnant female was higher than that of non-pregnant female. The threshold of salt taste in preeclampsia female was higher than that of pregnant female. The threshold of salt taste in normal pregnant female was correlated with their weight gain during pregnancy however that in preeclampsia female was not correlated. The threshold of salt taste was decreased and the symptom of preeclampsia was improved when preeclampsia female took the salt restriction diet therapy. It is suggested that the change of salt taste was related to the increased need of sodium according to progress of normal pregnancy, and was also related to the improvement of the symptoms of preeclampsia in salt restriction. The salt taste may be an objective indicator of salt intake for preeclampsia.

Gustatory Function of Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women in a Tertiary Health Institution

“…23 A change in taste sensitivity has been reported in similar studies on pregnant women. 6,7,24,25 The taste detection threshold of pregnant women was significantly lower when compared to nonpregnant women (P ¼ .002 or Table 2). Decrease in a particular taste sensitivity or detection threshold will make the individuals to add supplements that will improve the missing taste to their food so as to have savory meals.…”

“…31 An increased sensitivity to bitter taste would increase the risk of hyperemesis which can be harmful to both mother and fetus. 32 The decrease in gustatory function in pregnancy had been explained by the need for increased intake of salt and calories, 8,24 changes in serum concentration of trace elements, 22,28 and changes in serum estrogen and progesterone levels. 7,28,33,34 Experimental studies on rat have demonstrated estrogen receptors in brain areas involved in gustatory processing, 35 and estrogen is known to affect gene expression within the central nervous system.…”