Check out this article from Nutritiondata.com and see if you are a “sweet” or “salty”.

We may be predisposed to like salt in our genes which can help gives us clues to our health and fitness.

Love of salt is in your genes

Monday, June 21, 2010 at 4:53 PM | posted by Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N

In the debate over whether to force manufacturers to reduce sodium in processed foods, I’ve observed that some will benefit more than others. It appears that some will also suffer more than others.

Although we know that people who eat a lot of salt develop a tolerance and preference for saltier foods, Penn State researchers find that genetics also plays a role in how salty you like your food. While some are happy with (or can at least adjust to) food with less salt, others will always find low-sodium foods especially unpalatable.

Interestingly, it seems as if those with hyper-sensitive taste buds (super-tasters) tend to choose saltier foods. Although they experience salt as super-salty, they appear to need more salt in order to block or balance bitter tastes that they experience as super-bitter. (See this summary from Medical News Today.)

This study used healthy volunteers. What I’d like to see now is an investigation into whether the super-taster trait is more or less likely in those with salt-sensitive hypertension!