Is salt really bad for you?

New evidence emerging that says no...

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the longstanding, international debate over salt and sodium guidelines and whether or not our current targets are set too low for optimal health. A new study came out recently in the New England Journal of Medicine supporting the belief that cutting back on sodium too much actually poses health hazards, including premature death. This study found that those who consumed fewer than 3,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day had a 27% higher risk of death or a serious event such as a heart attack or stroke in that period than those whose intake was estimated at 3,000 to 6,000 mg. 

We lose salt throughout the day via sweat and urination. This salt needs to be replenished to build and maintain fluid balance and cardiovascular function amongst other things. The key point when it comes to salt is that 'salt' isn't just your standard table salt aka sodium chloride (bleached and run through with aluminium and chemicals); true salt is a combination of essential minerals. 

Mineral    Quantity
Sodium chloride    94.3 - 97.6%
Calcium    0.19 - 0.20%
Magnesium    0.42 - 0.79%
Potassium    0.22 - 0.67%
Iron    8.0 - 11.1 mg/kg
Iodine    0.5 - <3 mg/kg

The first step to reducing (table) salt can be by replacing it with a good quality sea salt such as fleur de sel de Guerande. The flavour difference is amazing and you will be replacing electrolytes at the same time. 

Emma