Sex Differences in the Central Control of Sodium Appetite and Blood Pressure
Abstract
High salt intake is one of the major causes of high blood pressure and an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. Several large cohort studies have demonstrated lower daily sodium intakes in women compared to men, throughout the world in both developed and underdeveloped countries, making it tempting to associate the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in women to that of lower sodium intake. Significant changes in salt appetite and sodium intake occur across the female life cycle, in particular during pregnancy and lactation, and, importantly, after menopause. This chapter surveys the existing literature on sex differences in salt consumption and introduces a robust scientific literature examining the phenomenon in animal models. Even in those well-characterized animal models, holes exist in our knowledge and the final motivational site(s) for salt preference remain elusive.
Recommended Citation
G. L. Yosten and W. K. Samson, "Sex Differences in the Central Control of Sodium Appetite and Blood Pressure," Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology, pp. 63 - 71, Elsevier, Jan 2019.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813197-8.00005-1
Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Keywords and Phrases
Angiotensin; Circumventricular organs; Hypothalamus; Menopause; Mineralocorticoids; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Salt appetite
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-012813198-5;978-012813197-8
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2019
