What defines an individual as "salt-sensitive" regarding sodium consumption?
Increased sodium intake leads to a measurable rise in blood pressure.
Salt sensitivity is a specific physiological descriptor that relates to cardiovascular response rather than taste preference. An individual is classified as salt-sensitive if their blood pressure exhibits a measurable increase following the consumption of increased amounts of sodium. This reaction can be influenced by various factors, including underlying genetic makeup, existing health conditions like high blood pressure or kidney disease, and age. Conversely, individuals who are considered salt-resistant experience little to no measurable change in their blood pressure even when consuming extra sodium. This highlights that "tolerance" can refer to two different concepts: the learned taste adjustment or this physiological resilience to sodium load.
