A pioneering battery-operated spoon, designed to intensify the perception of saltiness in food, has hit the market shelves in Japan.
Crafted from a combination of plastic and metal, this innovative utensil is targeting individuals facing challenges in reducing their sodium intake, with researchers asserting its potential to foster healthier dietary habits, as reported by Sky News.
The deleterious effects of excessive sodium consumption are well-documented, with associations to heightened risks of conditions such as high blood pressure and strokes.
In Japan, where adults typically ingest an average of 10g of salt per day—twice the recommended intake prescribed by the World Health Organization—this new product arrives amidst growing concerns over dietary habits.
Operating on the principle of passing a mild electric current through its tip, the Electric Salt Spoon functions by concentrating sodium ion molecules on the tongue, thereby augmenting the perceived saltiness of the food being consumed. Kirin, the Japanese company behind this invention, claims that it enhances the taste sensation by one and a half times.
Offering users flexibility, the spoon provides four distinct intensity levels, allowing individuals to customize their salt-enhancing experience, according to the manufacturer. Kirin, known predominantly for its beer business, is now expanding its portfolio into the realm of healthcare.
The development of this innovative utensil was a collaborative effort between Kirin and Homei Miyashita, a professor at Meiji University. Notably, Miyashita had previously showcased a similar taste-enhancing concept in prototype electric chopsticks, demonstrating the efficacy of electrical currents in modifying taste perceptions. His contributions earned him the Ig Nobel Nutrition prize in the preceding year.
