Exploring culinary methods to reduce sodium intake : the impact of flavorings and salt addition timing in boiled chicken

The overconsumption of salt is a social concern and has consequences for human health. Discretionary salt contributes to salt intake but has received very little attention thus far, and recommendations do not precisely targeted discretionary salt. This study investigated how different culinary practices affect the saltiness of chickens. Chicken breasts were boiled in a standard homestyle bouillon (broth). Table salt was added to the broth or on the plate after cooking. Two salt concentrations, regular (6.5 mmol of Na+ per 100 g of cooked chicken) and low (4.1 mmol of Na+ per 100 g of cooked chicken), were compared. Additionally, we applied the following flavor treatments: rosemary, smoked bacon, and smoked garlic. The saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and overall aroma of the warm chicken samples were evaluated by 158 untrained consumers. Saltiness adequacy was measured on a just-about-right (JAR) scale. Based on the results, no significant differences in saltiness intensity were observed between the two salting practices (p > 0.2). Regarding the flavor additions, a significant odor-induced increase in saltiness was observed when smoked bacon flavoring was combined with salting on the plate (p = 0.02). The JAR results indicated that adding smoked garlic flavoring to the broth allows a 33% reduction in salt content without compromising taste, suggesting that smoked garlic has a strong odor-induced saltiness enhancement effect and may be a viable option for salt reduction strategies. This study provides a basis for improving discretionary salt use practices that can be easily adopted by consumers, potentially aiding in reducing salt intake from chicken dishes without compromising flavor, and offering insights that may apply to other meat types.