Older Adults' Dinner Habit Linked to Poor Diet and Health Risks

New study finds that adding salt to food at the table is associated with higher blood pressure, less fruit and vegetable intake, and more processed foods in adults over 60.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:18pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where a saltshaker is defined entirely by glowing, vibrant neon lines against a deep, dark background, emphasizing the shape and electricity of this common household object.A simple mealtime habit with serious health implications for older adults.Los Angeles Today

A recent Brazilian study of over 8,000 adults aged 60 and older found that about 11% reported the habit of adding salt to their food at the dinner table. This behavior was linked to several troubling health patterns, including higher blood pressure, lower fruit and vegetable consumption, and a greater intake of ultra-processed foods. The research showed gender differences as well, with men more likely than women to add extra salt, especially if they lived alone.

Why it matters

Diets high in sodium are known to increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, and kidney disease. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.89 million deaths per year are associated with excessive sodium intake. This study highlights the need for public health efforts to educate older adults on the health risks of adding salt to food and provide practical strategies to reduce discretionary salt use.

The details

The study used national survey data from over 8,000 Brazilians over age 60, collected between 2017-2018. Participants were asked if they had the habit of adding salt to food at the table. About 10.9% said they did, with men reporting this habit more than women (12.7% vs. 9.4%). Men not following a high blood pressure diet were more than twice as likely to add salt, and men living alone had a 62% higher likelihood. For women, those not on a high blood pressure diet had a 68% higher likelihood of adding salt, and those with high ultra-processed food intake were more than twice as likely. Adding salt was also linked to lower fruit and vegetable consumption in women.

  • The study used data collected between 2017 and 2018.

The players

Dr. Débora Santos

A titular professor at Rio de Janeiro State University and co-author of the study.

Ilana Muhlstein

A Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist who commented on the study's findings.

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What they’re saying

“The use of herbs and natural seasonings as alternatives to salt, or culinary techniques such as using the acidity of citrus fruits, may help reduce discretionary salt use while maintaining food palatability.”

— Dr. Débora Santos, Study co-author

“It's interesting that this study found that men were significantly more likely to add salt to their food compared to women, because this is an observation I've had as well.”

— Ilana Muhlstein, Registered dietitian nutritionist

What’s next

The study authors called for more public health efforts to educate older adults on the health risks of excessive salt intake and provide practical strategies to reduce discretionary salt use, such as using herbs, natural seasonings, and citrus fruits instead of the saltshaker.

The takeaway

This study highlights the need for greater nutrition education and awareness around the health consequences of adding extra salt to food, especially among older adults. Promoting whole, minimally processed foods and providing alternatives to the saltshaker could help reduce sodium intake and associated chronic disease risks in this population.