Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Some people swear by sprinkling salt on fruit to bring out its sweetness. The trend was recently endorsed by a Japanese doctor who recommended eating bananas with salt to replenish minerals and help the body retain water. Nutritionists say sodium helps reduce sour and bitter flavors, balancing the taste and bringing out the fruit’s natural sweetness.
Lin Li
Reporter
In the summer heat, lots of people like to eat watermelon to cool down. But one Japanese doctor recommended having a banana with salt to beat the heat.
Dr. Fukuda Rikka from Yamanashi said that sodium, magnesium, and potassium help the body retain water. He recommended salted bananas, as the fruit is rich in potassium and magnesium, while salt provides sodium.
Member of public
Wouldn’t try it
Is it like sarsaparilla with salt? I don’t think I’d try it. I sprinkle salt on pineapple. It makes it less harsh on the tongue. Fruit is supposed to be sweet.
Member of public
Not into salt
Tomato with ginger is okay. I feel like having a watermelon that’s salty wouldn’t cool me down.
Salt draws out moisture from the fruit, concentrating the sugars and making it taste sweeter. Salt water can keep apples from browning, bring out the sweetness of watermelon and wax apples, and help prevent a sore mouth from pineapple, while salted star fruit is said to soothe the throat. Fruit vendors also use salt water to keep cut fruit fresh for longer.
Fruit vendor
Uses salt water
We soak fruit in cold salt water. Mangoes are also salted. Basically, if a mango isn’t ripe, it’s eaten with salt, otherwise it’s sour. The salt enhances the flavor. Watermelon with salt is also pretty good.
Salt reduces sour and bitter flavors, making the fruit taste sweeter. Fruits that are sweet, tart, and have a high water content are especially good with a little salt.
Hsia Tzu-wen
Nutritionist
Adding salt to fruit changes the osmotic pressure, causing it to release more water and juice, while the salt helps balance the flavor. Fruit provides sugar and minerals such as potassium, while salt provides sodium chloride, so it’s fine to eat fruit with a moderate amount of salt.
The nutritionist also reminded people to replenish water and electrolytes if they sweat a lot in the summer. She also recommended that people with high blood pressure or kidney or heart problems limit their salt intake. Even healthy foods should be consumed in moderation to maintain a balanced diet.
#fruit #salt #summer #saltedfruit #watermelon #banana #sodium #sweet
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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
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Bilingual text here: https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/news/2026827W05EA?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description
雙語文字版: https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/news/2026827W05EA?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description
Our official website: ➔ https://english.ftvnews.com.tw/
Follow us on
Facebook: ➔ facebook.com/ftvformosanews
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Some people swear by sprinkling salt on fruit to bring out its sweetness. The trend was recently endorsed by a Japanese doctor who recommended eating bananas with salt to replenish minerals and help the body retain water. Nutritionists say sodium helps reduce sour and bitter flavors, balancing the taste and bringing out the fruit’s natural sweetness.
Lin Li
Reporter
In the summer heat, lots of people like to eat watermelon to cool down. But one Japanese doctor recommended having a banana with salt to beat the heat.
Dr. Fukuda Rikka from Yamanashi said that sodium, magnesium, and potassium help the body retain water. He recommended salted bananas, as the fruit is rich in potassium and magnesium, while salt provides sodium.
Member of public
Wouldn’t try it
Is it like sarsaparilla with salt? I don’t think I’d try it. I sprinkle salt on pineapple. It makes it less harsh on the tongue. Fruit is supposed to be sweet.
Member of public
Not into salt
Tomato with ginger is okay. I feel like having a watermelon that’s salty wouldn’t cool me down.
Salt draws out moisture from the fruit, concentrating the sugars and making it taste sweeter. Salt water can keep apples from browning, bring out the sweetness of watermelon and wax apples, and help prevent a sore mouth from pineapple, while salted star fruit is said to soothe the throat. Fruit vendors also use salt water to keep cut fruit fresh for longer.
Fruit vendor
Uses salt water
We soak fruit in cold salt water. Mangoes are also salted. Basically, if a mango isn’t ripe, it’s eaten with salt, otherwise it’s sour. The salt enhances the flavor. Watermelon with salt is also pretty good.
Salt reduces sour and bitter flavors, making the fruit taste sweeter. Fruits that are sweet, tart, and have a high water content are especially good with a little salt.
Hsia Tzu-wen
Nutritionist
Adding salt to fruit changes the osmotic pressure, causing it to release more water and juice, while the salt helps balance the flavor. Fruit provides sugar and minerals such as potassium, while salt provides sodium chloride, so it’s fine to eat fruit with a moderate amount of salt.
The nutritionist also reminded people to replenish water and electrolytes if they sweat a lot in the summer. She also recommended that people with high blood pressure or kidney or heart problems limit their salt intake. Even healthy foods should be consumed in moderation to maintain a balanced diet.
#fruit #salt #summer #saltedfruit #watermelon #banana #sodium #sweet
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
#台灣新聞 #TaiwanNews #民視新聞 #FTV新聞 #Taiwan
