NCT03467568

Does Salt Intake Improve Mood

Do Humans Over-consume Salt to Improve Mood

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Swansea University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Mood
• Salt Intake

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Sodium Chloride	300mg sodium chloride will be provided in a capsule
OTHER	Placebo capsule	A capsule of identical appearance to that providing salt, but not containing electrolytes, will be consumed
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Water	Twice during the morning a drink of 150ml of water will be consumed
BIOLOGICAL	No water consumed	No water will be consumed during the monring

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-01-01
• Primary completion: 2018-04-01
• Completion: 2018-04-01
• First posted: 2018-03-16
• Last updated: 2018-03-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom