If you’re confused about salt and the role it plays in health, you are not alone. I’ve gotten a number of e-mails recently asking for some clarification on salt, which is not surprising. Anyone with high blood pressure has probably been told to “watch salt intake.” But what does that mean? And why is salt bad? Don’t we need salt to be healthy?

Is salt bad for you?

Let’s take those questions one at a time. First of all, salt is an absolute necessity for our bodies to function properly. But that said, there are two things you need to know. One, moderation is the key. Too much or too little salt (also known by its chemical name, sodium) can both be damaging to your health. A heavy hand with the salt shaker can contribute to serious conditions, including high blood pressure, which can lead to increased likelihood of heart attack, stroke, ulcers, stomach cancer, osteoporosis, as well as autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Excessive salt intake is a worldwide problem, one that has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to list reducing salt intake as one of its top 10 “best buys” for lowering the rates of chronic diseases.

What Does Sodium Do for the Body? 

Conversely, too little salt may create a condition known as hyponatremia. If both too much and too little salt are risky, clearly we have a situation where balance is important. Here’s why:

Salt, or sodium, is an electrolyte that helps manage water supplies in and around your cells. Certain medical conditions, as well as drinking excessive amounts of water during intense workouts, can disturb the delicate balance. If that balance is disturbed, water levels in the body may increase, and cells can swell. This is especially hard on the brain, because there’s very little room inside our skulls for the cells to expand.

Symptoms of hyponatremia include:

• Headache
• Abdominal cramps
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure
• Depression
• Fatigue or feelings of exhaustion
• Confusion
• Muscle cramps, spasms, or weakness
• Coma
• Seizures
• Feelings of irritability or restlessness

Please don’t stress over these symptoms, though. Hyponatremia is a rare condition. For most people, too much of the wrong type of salt is a much greater problem.

How Much Salt is Right for You?

The highly respected Institute of Medicine (IoM) recommends most Americans limit salt intake to between 1,500 mg and 2,300 mg of sodium daily. If you are in any of the following groups, though, you should stay as close to the 1,500 mg mark as possible to maintain good health. These groups include:

This list of potassium-rich foods may help. Serving sizes are for one cup, unless otherwise noted:

On days when it’s difficult to consume the 7 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies, you can use a green food supplement to make up for it. Green food supplements also help reduce acidity, and patients tell me that simple change makes a big difference in how they feel.

How Modern Salt Has Changed the Game?

The second thing you need to know about salt is this: As with so many other foods today, salt is not what it used to be.  The salt we need is not the refined white powdery substance typically stocked by supermarkets. Conventional salt is devoid of minerals and has been treated with chemicals to create the snowy white powder most of us consider salt. Not surprisingly, this chemically whitened, mineral-free salt is what’s used in prepared, processed foods and conventional seasoning mixes.

Is Himalayan salt good for you?

Unfortunately, the minerals that are missing from ordinary salt – potassium and magnesium, in particular — are natural remedies for high blood pressure and reduce your body’s acidity. Healthy salt, on the other hand, can be found in unrefined products labeled sea salt, Himalayan salt, or Celtic salt, to name a few of the better choices. These types of natural salt may contain more than 90 different trace minerals that assist in various bodily functions.

There are also enhanced salt products available. Sometimes called   “lite” salt, these include added minerals, like potassium or magnesium. These products all cost a little more than conventional refined salt, but they are well worth it, in my opinion.

Why is Too Much Salt Bad For You?

High blood pressure may be the best-known consequence of eating a salty diet. High blood pressure is a serious concern, linked to stroke and heart disease. In addition, eating a diet high in salt can cause liver and/or kidney disease, edema (swelling in various parts of the body), and potassium deficiency.

Recently, scientists have discovered another, equally serious consequence of consuming too much salt — autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.  This does not mean that cutting back on salt can cure these diseases. But the researchers did note that excessive amounts of salt appear to make the conditions worse.

The Top Ten Saltiest Foods

Not surprisingly, many of the Top Ten are processed or prepared foods that not only raise blood pressure but also contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and cancer.

• Potato chips and similar salted snacks
• Burgers and meatloaf
• Pasta
• Cheeses
• Canned soups
• Commercial pizza
• Cured meats, like hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts
• Breads and rolls
• Chicken, fresh and prepared
• Most frozen prepared meals and side dishes

If you bake, please be aware that baking soda contains substantial amounts of sodium, as much as 150 mg in just 1/8^th of a teaspoon! There are salt-free alternatives that work just as well, though. Try searching for “sodium-free baking soda” to learn more.

Why Nutrition Labels Are Your Friends

Anyone eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) of processed and prepared food is getting far too much sodium. But you have to read nutrition labels to know that, because, as you’ll see in the list below, some of the most serious offenders are not foods that we typically think of as being particularly salty.

If you’re in the over-50 age category and should be limiting sodium intake to 1,500 mg daily, that means no more than 500 mg of sodium per meal. Yet clearly, even one cup of packaged macaroni and cheese puts you over the limit for the entire day!

A few products offer “reduced sodium” or “no salt added” versions. Check the labels carefully, though. Some of these foods still contain fairly high levels of sodium. Even supposedly healthy foods can be loaded with sodium.

And don’t overlook the power of supplemental greens when it comes to balancing sodium intake. Let’s face it – no one’s perfect – and there will be days when even the most well-intentioned person just isn’t able to get all the right foods into his or her diet. A green food supplement can provide you with the nutrients that help counteract too much salt, as well as a long list of other beneficial substances.

Considering the potentially serious downsides of overdoing it with the salt, I do hope you’ll take some time this coming week to look at the sodium content of packaged and prepared foods, especially those in your own cupboards. When dining out, get in the habit of asking your server about low-salt dishes. Just becoming aware of salt’s impact on your body and making small changes to avoid excesses are essential steps for anyone who wants to stay healthy.

Last Updated: May 4, 2021
Originally Published: April 3, 2013