Japanese researchers have developed computerized chopsticks that enhance salty tastes, potentially helping those who need to reduce sodium in their diets.
日本研究职员研发了一种可以增强咸味的电子筷子，有可能帮助到那些须要低钠饮食的人。
Co-developed by Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita and beverage maker Kirin Holdings Co., the chopsticks enhance tastes using electrical stimulation and a mini-computer worn on a wristband.
这种电子筷由明治大学教授宫下和美（音译）和饮品制造商麒麟控股有限公司共同开拓，通过电流刺激和佩戴在腕带上的微型打算机来增强味道。
The device uses a weak electrical current to transmit sodium ions from food, through the chopsticks, to the mouth where they create a sense of saltiness, said Miyashita.
宫下称，这种装置利用微电流将食品中的钠离子通过筷子通报到口腔，从而产生咸味。
\"大众As a result, the salty taste enhances 1.5 times,\"大众 he said.
他表示：“这样可以将咸味放大1.5倍。”
Miyashita and his lab have explored various ways that technology can interact with and stimulate human sensory experiences. He's also developed a lickable TV screen that can imitate various food flavours.
宫下和他的实验室一贯在人类感官互动与刺激的体验上进行科学探索。他还研发了一个可品尝味道的电视屏，屏幕可以仿照各种食品的味道。
The taste-enhancing chopsticks may have particular relevance in Japan, where the traditional diet favours salty tastes. The average Japanese adult consumes about 10 grams of salt per day, double the amount recommended by the World Health Organization.
增强咸味的筷子在日本可能会很有市场，由于日本的传统饮食偏咸。日本成年人均匀每天摄入约10克盐，是天下卫生组织推举摄入量的两倍。
Excess sodium intake is related to increased incidence of high blood pressure, strokes and other ailments.
过量摄入钠与高血压、中风和其他疾病的发病率增加有关。
\"大众To prevent these diseases, we need to reduce the amount of salt we take,\"大众 said Kirin researcher Ai Sato.
麒麟公司研究员佐藤爱（音译）称：“为了预防这些疾病，我们须要减少盐的摄入量。”
\"大众If we try to avoid taking less salt in a conventional way, we would need to endure the pain of cutting our favourite food from our diet, or endure eating bland food.\"大众
“传统的减盐饮食须要我们忍受清淡饮食，让我们无法大快朵颐。”
Miyashita and Kirin are refining their chopsticks prototype and hope to commercialize them as early as next year.
宫下和麒麟公司正在改进产品原型，并希望最早在明年将其商业化。
来源：路透社
编辑：董静
来源：中国日报网
