Who's Most Likely To Add Extra Salt To Their Food? New Research Offers Clues

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Who's Most Likely To Add Extra Salt To Their Food? New Research Offers Clues

Author: Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN

April 02, 2026

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

By Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Christian University and a master’s in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University. She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.

Image by Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock

April 02, 2026

Salt has been used as seasoning and food preservative for thousands of years. But excessive intake1 has been linked to various health concerns (like high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and even accelerated cognitive decline). And many people are currently consuming far more salt than they need. For example, the global average salt intake is around 10.78 grams per day, which is more than double the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 5 grams2.

While much of that sodium comes from processed foods, the salt we add at the table still accounts for 6-20% of total intake. A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health 3suggests that people who regularly add salt at the table may also share certain lifestyle and dietary tendencies (from what they eat day-to-day to how they structure their meals). Here's what you need to know.

About the study

In this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 8,000 adults aged 60 and older, using information from Brazil’s National Dietary Survey.

Their goal was to better understand how the habit of adding salt at the table relates to diet quality, lifestyle, and health-related behaviors. To do this, they looked at:

- Whether participants reported adding salt to food at the table

- What their diets looked like (including fruit, vegetable, and ultra-processed food intake)

- Lifestyle factors like living situation and whether they were following a diet for high blood pressure

When they dug into the data, a few clear patterns stood out, particularly when comparing how men and women use salt.

RELATED READ: 7 Science-Backed Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

What the study revealed

When they dug into the data, a few clear patterns stood out, particularly when comparing how men and women use salt.

1. Adding salt at the table is common (& gendered)

The study found that 12.7% of men and 9.4% of women added salt to their foods at the table.

"Adding salt to food at the table remains a relatively common habit among Brazilian older adults and occurs more frequently among men than among women," said first author Dr. Flávia Brito, an associate professor at Rio de Janeiro State University.

2. Not following a blood pressure diet is one of the strongest predictors

Men who weren't on a special diet for high blood pressure were 2.4 times more likely to add salt than those following such a diet. For women, the odds were 68% higher if they didn't follow a diet to manage high blood pressure.

This indicates that being aware of a health condition (and actively managing it) may be enough to meaningfully shift behavior.

3. Living alone increases risk, especially for men

Men who lived alone were 62% more likely to add salt than those living with others. This could reflect less structured meals, lower overall diet quality, or greater reliance on convenience foods.

4. Diet quality correlates with salt habits

Women's salt-adding behavior was tied to a much wider range of dietary and lifestyle factors.

"Women's salt-adding behavior appeared to be more closely linked to broader dietary patterns and contextual characteristics," said co-author Dr. Débora Santos, a titular professor at Rio de Janeiro State University.

- Women who didn't eat fruit regularly were 81% more likely to add salt

- Women who didn't eat vegetables regularly were 40% more likely to add salt

- Women who frequently ate ultra-processed foods were more than twice as likely to add salt

This finding reveals that salt habits tend to mirror overall diet quality, rather than merely taste preference.

5. Ultra-processed foods may "train" your taste buds

The researchers noted that repeatedly eating high-sodium foods can reduce sensitivity to salty flavors, which may lead to individuals preferring stronger saltiness over time. In other words, the more ultra-processed foods you eat, the more salt you may crave.

RELATED READ: Eat More Of This Food If You Have High Blood Pressure

What this means for you

The goal here isn't to demonize salt. It's an essential nutrient, and not everyone needs to be strict about their intake (athletes who sweat heavily, for example, may need more).

But for most people, especially those managing hypertension or concerned about heart and brain health as they age, being mindful of s