Mood, Salt Intake
Conditions
Keywords
Mood Salt
Brief summary
Humans display a preference for salt although the reasons remain unclear. The aim was to examine the hypothesis that salt may enhance mood. The study compares the drinking of water with and without electrolytes (either dissolved in water or by capsule). Mood was rated over a period of 155 minutes
Detailed description
Study 1. 120 young adults will be were recruited. They will arrive in the laboratory at 0900 having consumed their normal breakfast. Over the morning they will reported their mood by responding to one hundred millimetre visual analogue scales anchored with the words: Composed/Anxious; Hostile/Agreeable; Elated/Depressed; Unsure/Confident; Energetic/Tired; Confused/Clearheaded. These dimensions of mood came from the factor analysis that formed the basis of the Profile of Mood State questionnaire. An overall measure of mood will be calculated. . Randomly they will receive either a 150ml glass of water, or an equivalent volume of water containing electrolytes (in total 150mg sodium chloride and 45mg potassium chloride (Gatorade G2 Low calorie (34 kcal) Thirst Quencher, Pepsico). This drink will be consumed for a first time after 50 minutes, and a second time after 140 minutes. A estimate of habitual salt preference will be gained by responding to questions concerning the adding of salt to meals and a preference for salty foods. Study 2: One hundred and twenty young adults will be recruited. A second study attempts to replicate the first in a double-blind trial where the taste of salt was hidden by using a capsule. . Participants will be assigned to one of four experimental conditions; 1) swallowed placebo capsules; 2) swallowed capsules containing electrolyte (300mg sodium chloride); 3) received placebo capsules and plain water; 4) received capsules containing electrolyte and plain water. Each drink will be 150ml of water. The allocation of the type of capsule will be carried out double-blind, determined by computer generated random numbers. Otherwise the procedure will be identical to study one.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTSodium Chloride
300mg sodium chloride will be provided in a capsule
OTHERPlacebo capsule
A capsule of identical appearance to that providing salt, but not containing electrolytes, will be consumed
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTWater
Twice during the morning a drink of 150ml of water will be consumed
BIOLOGICALNo water consumed
No water will be consumed during the monring
Sponsors
Swansea University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
Salt / placebo will be consumed by capsule under a double blind procedure
Intervention model description
The study has four arms. Salt alone; salt plus water; placebo alone, placebo plus water
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Self declared in good health -
Exclusion criteria
\-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mood ratings using visual analogue scales | Up to three hours | On a hundred millimetre scale ratings will be made of with the two ends anchored with the words Agreeable/Hostile, Confused/clearheaded; composed/anxious; depressed/elated; confident/unsure; tired/energetic. Each scales produces a score between 0 and 100. When added to create a total mood score the ratings vary between zero and six hundred with a higher score indicating a better mood |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings of thirst | Up to three hours | Rating made using a visual analogue scale responding to the question how thirsty do you feel right now? With a high score indicated greater thrist |
| Body weight | Up to three hours | Changes in body weight over morning. Scales measuring to the nearest 10g will be used |
Countries
United Kingdom
Contacts
Primary ContactDavid Benton, DSc
Backup ContactHayley Young, PhD
Outcome results
None listed