A study was conducted to estimate Na intake in 30 young and 62 middle-aged female Koreans. For each subject, nondiscretionary Na intake was estimated from 2-day dietary records optimum gustation of salt was tested using beef broth with different salt concentra-tions. and 24-hour urinary Na excretion was measeured from pooled 2-day urine samples. Total daily Na intake was calculated from 24-hour urinary excretion and discretionary Na intake was calculated as difference between total and nondiscretionary Na intake was calculated as difference between total and nondiscretionary Na intake. Mean daily 24-hour urinary Na excretion of the young and middle-aged women was 184.6mEq and 224.6mEq. Mean values of optimum gustation of salt in young and middle-aged subjects were 0.431% and 0.489% The differences between the two groups were significant. Nodiscre-tionary Na intakes of the two groups were not significantly different, . Calculated total and discretionary Na intake of middle-aged women(245.1mEq) were significantly higher than young women(220.3mEq and 211.0mEq) were significantly higher than young women(210, 3mEq and 169, 7mEq) Percent of discretionary to total Na intake was 85.7% in middle-aged and 79.4% in young women. Age BMI urinary Na and K excretions optimum gustation of salt were signficantly correlated with blood pressure of the subjects. Results of the present study confirms the high level of sodium intake especia-lly of discretionary Na intake among Korean women.