Dr Michelle Dickinson: The electricity is able to enhance the taste of saltiness, without adding more salt

Researchers in Japan have just developed the world's first electric chopsticks that use electrical stimulation and a mini-computer worn on the eaters’ wristband to artificially create the taste of salt! Salt is made up of sodium chloride, however too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and even stroke. The chopsticks transmit sodium ions from food, through the chopsticks to the mouth where they create a sense of saltiness without the actual intake of salt. The Japanese inventors were trying to address an issue of high salt intake in the Japanese population due to common foods like miso and soy sauce. The average Japanese adult consumes around 10 grams of salt every day which is double the recommended by the World Health Organisation. The inventor Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita has been known to invent unusual things for the tongue, and only a few months ago launched his lickable TV invention https://www.engadget.com/taste-the-tv-lickable-screen-173805499.html Let's see what's next for Homei! Dr Michelle Dickinson joined Francesca Rudkin. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.