Scientists at Meiji University in Japan have developed an electric spoon that zaps your tongue to enhance the salty taste of bland food. The device allows you to enjoy salt flavor without the associated health risks, such as high blood pressure.
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The electric spoon is now on sale for 19,800 yen($127) and is currently a limited release, with only 200 units available this month. According to the Daily Mail, the product is the first commercialization of technology that won an Ig Nobel Prize last year. Kirin Holdings, in collaboration with Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita, developed the Electric Salt Spoon and it operates by passing a weak electric field to concentrate on sodium ion molecules on the tongue, enhancing the saltiness of the food.
The spoon is made of plastic and metal plus runs on a rechargeable lithium battery. Kirin said in a statement that the spoon has potential in Japan since the average adult consumes about 10 grams daily, double the recommended amount by the World Health Organization. Excessive sodium intake is linked to various health issues, such as high blood pressure and strokes.
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Miyashita and his co-creator, Hiromi Nakamura, have explored other sensory technologies, including a lickable TV screen called Taste the TV, which can imitate different food flavors using a carousel of 10 flavor canisters. Kirin aims to reach 1 million users globally within five years, with international sales starting next year.
It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet such as basing meals on starchy carbohydrates, eating five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, consuming fiber, diary or alternatives, proteins, unsaturated oils, and staying hydrated.