Decreasing Daily Salt Intake by Drinking Water before Thirst Stimulation

The current recommendations to reduce salt intake from 9 to 12 g/d to 5 to 6 g/d will have a major effect on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease but are not ideal. A minimal increase in the plasma osmolality of 1–2% induces thirst, hypovolemia, hypotension, and angiotensin II are the most known of thirst stimuli. Some of stimuli for thirst and salt appetite are common; hence, following stimulation of thirst, an increase in salt appetite occurred. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of water deprivation in Ramadan on daily salt intake in fasting people. 30 male fasting students were selected for the experiment and their 24 hours urinary sodium excretion was measured during one day of Shaban and Ramadan. An increase and decrease more than 15% in 24 hours urine sodium was considered as remarkable changes. 5 specimens were eradicated from the study due to previous recommendation about 24-h creatinine excretion. Changes in 24 hours urine sodium during Ramadan in comparison with Shaban were unremarkable in 7 subjects. Remarkable decrease and increase were observed in 10 and 8 subjects respectively. Similar to the effect of fasting on weight, blood pressure, and appetite, fasting has a double effect on salt consumption. As during fasting, other parameters affected fasted salt appetite, so the pure effect of thirst on salt appetite were covered by other parameters. Over and above, it can be mentioned if individuals consumes water more than usual before thirst stimulation and the intervals between drinking water is reduced, it will lead to salt appetite suppression.