4 ms·

I haven't looked into it, but are there really no other cations besides sodium that can create the salty flavor sensation on human taste buds? I would find that

I haven't looked into it, but are there really no other cations besides sodium that can create the salty flavor sensation on human taste buds? I would find that surprising, given all of the work and industry around sugar substitutes. Also, what is your personal experience - if any - with heavy potassium supplementation?

sincerely 8y ago
potassium chloride tastes salty but also has a strong metallic feel, it's what most salt substitutes are made out of
- NickNameNick 8y ago
  I see Aluminium Chloride salt sachets in fast food outlets from time to time.
- lr4444lr 8y ago
  The last time I tried it, I detected only bitterness, not saltiness.
billfruit 8y ago
I also wonder why potassium chloride is not being promoted heavily, in the face of low recommended intake of sodium, IIRC the recommended potassium intake is much higher than that of sodium.
- Herodotus38 8y ago
  The reason is that there is a lot of overlap of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys don't filter as well, one of things that your body holds onto is potassium. High potassium levels (among other things) cause cardiac conduction issues and arrhythmias which can be fatal if not intervened on. I. The general population we have to be careful that we don't trade one problem for another.
  - wool_gather 8y ago
    On the other hand, _low_ potassium can also cause heart problems. You just can't win!
    - Herodotus38 8y ago
      That's true as well, fortunately(?) it's much harder to get to cardiac issues with hypokalemia than hyperkalemia (most commonly I see it in anorexics). Most causes of low potassium are side effects of medications, or short term losses from diarrhea or vomiting. There are some people with genetic causes of excess urinary potassium losses but it's pretty uncommon.
- kwhitefoot 8y ago
  For cooking I use a mixture of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium sulphate (50:40:9, the remainder is iodine) tastes just like pure NaCl to me. It's a brand called Seltin here in Norway.

sincerely 8y ago

potassium chloride tastes salty but also has a strong metallic feel, it's what most salt substitutes are made out of

NickNameNick 8y ago
I see Aluminium Chloride salt sachets in fast food outlets from time to time.
lr4444lr 8y ago
The last time I tried it, I detected only bitterness, not saltiness.

billfruit 8y ago

I also wonder why potassium chloride is not being promoted heavily, in the face of low recommended intake of sodium, IIRC the recommended potassium intake is much higher than that of sodium.

Herodotus38 8y ago
The reason is that there is a lot of overlap of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys don't filter as well, one of things that your body holds onto is potassium. High potassium levels (among other things) cause cardiac conduction issues and arrhythmias which can be fatal if not intervened on. I. The general population we have to be careful that we don't trade one problem for another.
- wool_gather 8y ago
  On the other hand, _low_ potassium can also cause heart problems. You just can't win!
  - Herodotus38 8y ago
    That's true as well, fortunately(?) it's much harder to get to cardiac issues with hypokalemia than hyperkalemia (most commonly I see it in anorexics). Most causes of low potassium are side effects of medications, or short term losses from diarrhea or vomiting. There are some people with genetic causes of excess urinary potassium losses but it's pretty uncommon.
kwhitefoot 8y ago
For cooking I use a mixture of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium sulphate (50:40:9, the remainder is iodine) tastes just like pure NaCl to me. It's a brand called Seltin here in Norway.