Does Salt Obesity Exist

Background: Glucose transport within the intestine is performed by the SGLT1 cotransporter if it is attached to two sodium ions. Salt provides one sodium ion per molecule consumed. In humans its ingestion is commonly ten times the amount needed and its consumption is generally accompanied by high carbohydrate diets. This project evaluates if a large salt intake in the diet leads to the development of obesity. This work was raised thinking that a simple strategy to reduce the weight would decrease the amount of salt in food. Methods: The effect of salt on the dynamics of glucose absorption in the gut was evaluated making glucose tolerance curves with salt (1.55 molar of glucose 3.1 molar of salt) and without salt. Salty tastes simulating increased food intake and promoting weight gain in Wistar rats were also analysed. Results: The experiments showed that excessive salt intake prevents the transport of glucose from the intestinal lumen into the bloodstream. Additionally, salty tastes favoured increased food intake and weight gain. Conclusion: Sodium that naturally flows from the cytoplasm of enterocytes into the intestinal lumen, maintains the glucose cotransporter SGLT1 saturated and ensures at all times the transport of glucose that has been ingested in the diet. Excessive salt intake prevents the absorption of glucose from the intestinal lumen. Moreover, salty taste favours increased food intake and weight gain in Wistar rats.