A simple habit like adding salt at the table may reflect broader patterns in how people eat, according to new research. The study found that older men were more likely than women to add salt to their food, while women’s salt use was more closely tied to diet and lifestyle factors.
The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, analyzed data from more than 8,300 adults age 60 and older in Brazil and found that 12.7% of men and 9.4% of women reported adding salt to their food after it was prepared. While the difference between men and women was modest, the factors associated with the behavior varied in meaningful ways.
“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 Flávia Brito, an associate professor at Rio de Janeiro State University and a study author.
Among men, the habit appeared less tied to overall diet or lifestyle. Living alone was one of the few factors associated with higher salt use, while those following a diet for high blood pressure were less likely to add salt.
For women, the pattern was more closely connected to broader eating habits. Those who frequently consumed ultraprocessed food or lived in urban areas were more likely to add salt, while those who regularly ate fruits and vegetables were significantly less likely to do so.
“On the other hand, women’s salt-adding behavior appeared to be more closely linked to broader dietary patterns and contextual characteristics,” said Débora Santos, a professor at Rio de Janeiro State University and a study author.
The findings highlight how a small, often automatic behavior can contribute to overall sodium intake. Salt added at the table is estimated to account for 6% to 20% of total intake, which can add up over time, particularly when combined with sodium already present in processed and prepared foods.
The study does not show that adding salt directly causes health problems, and it only captured self-reported behavior at one point in time. It also focused on older adults in Brazil, so the results may not apply to other populations or age groups.
Still, the results point to a broader idea: habits around food are often shaped by context, including living situation, diet quality, and routine. Small changes, such as removing the salt shaker from the table or using herbs and acidic ingredients like citrus, may help reduce sodium intake without dramatically altering meals.
“The use of herbs and natural seasonings as alternatives to salt or culinary techniques such as using the acidity of citrus fruits may help reduce discretionary salt use while maintaining food palatability,” Santos said.
No external funding was reported for this study.