[alwillis]

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1500 milligrams of sodium per day.

Because sodium is being added to packaged and processed foods, the average American was getting way more sodium than the recommended amount. And given the number of obese people and those with hypertension who are salt-sensitive, lots of people were getting way more sodium than was healthy for them.

[slaymaker1907]

There's also ample evidence that 1500mg is too low. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20140402/cdc-salt-gu....

Unlike white sugar which seems to be bad for humans in nearly any amount, salt is an essential nutrient. I suspect it was so demonized as an attempt to deflect blame off of other food additives such as sugar. Low sodium diets may make sense for people with high blood pressure, but it isn't something that everybody should be doing.

It seems grossly irresponsible to only highlight the dangers of high sodium while ignoring the dangers of low sodium diets.

[alwillis]

I recently listened to a great podcast [1] on the importance of salt and its role in proper brain functioning—the host is a tenured professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford.

Part of the into: Additionally, I examine research findings suggesting that some individuals might benefit from increased intake of sodium and other electrolytes (magnesium and potassium) to enhance mental performance, lessen anxiety, and offset dizziness. Yet, other people may need less sodium. I discuss how you can determine your optimal sodium intake and why sodium intake levels need to be uniquely tailored to an individual’s lifestyle.

[1]: https://hubermanlab.com/using-salt-to-optimize-mental-and-ph...

[michaelcampbell]

I'm a little shocked at only 2 mentions so far of Huberman on this topic. As you know he goes into great detail here, and a panoply of related health issues.

[twothamendment]

I don't feel like I tried to do a low salt diet, but I don't eat pre packaged foods and normally cut out skipped salt just because it had such a bad rap.

Recently I started drinking a homemade electrolyte and if I miss it for a few days I can really tell. Increasing my salt and potassium has made my head feel better, I don't get dizzy standing up quickly, I got rid of the always thirsty feeling and my circulation is better (fingers aren't cold all the time).

Why did I make this change? My wife had a bunch of tests. The heart doctor said everything was great and to increase salt in the diet. We eat the same and many of the things I listed were mentioned in her appointment - so I figured it would likely be good for me.

Pass the salt.

[canucker2016]

It's not the total amount of sodium but the concentration of the dose of sodium which will affect your blood pressure.

see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbSic4Oo8ME&t=420s

So if your food tastes salty, you should drink more water to dilute the concentration (and hopefully you won't drink so much water to induce hyponatremia - it's a balancing act).

[canucker2016]

Later in the above-mentioned YouTube video, the doctor mentions that drinking water before you get that thirsty feeling is better for you.

By the time you get the thirsty feeling, your body has switched over to converting glucose to fructose, etc.

[eyelidlessness]

I … have never in my life heard of salt contributing to obesity. I’ve struggled with being severely overweight. I’m medically monitored for hypertension, both because of my weight history and medication which should increase my blood pressure. I struggle now to keep weight on. Salt is not a factor.

[canucker2016]

At around 1h16m, Dr. Rick Johnson talks about how the human body on a high salt diet can convert glucose to fructose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbSic4Oo8ME&t=4590s

If you're eating a high glucose/carb diet, the body will convert glucose to fructose. Enough fructose will switch your body from fat-burning to fat-storage mode => obesity.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) can be caused by high uric acid levels.

Foods high in fructose and purines (beer, anchovies) will increase uric acid.

I sound like a spokesperson for this video, but watch the video for how fructose (and high purine content food - beer, anchovies et al.) causes high uric acid -> high blood pressure and gout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbSic4Oo8ME

[phkahler]

Salt was said to contribute to high blood pressure, not obesity. Congrats on taking control of your health!

[relaxing]

> I struggle now to keep weight on.

What was the change you made?

[throwaway09223]

Well, the basis for the AHA recommendation is probably bogus. So there's that issue as well.

[phkahler]

But most of that salt does not have iodine added.

[xattt]

Is salt added to processed foods iodated?

[Delk]

Usually and in most places, probably not [1].

Some processed food manufacturers have started using iodized salt in some of their products in recent years at least where I live, though. (Northern Europe)

I don't know if that's an entirely a local thing or a wider thing e.g. in the EU. AFAIK the local soil here isn't that rich in iodine and so produce doesn't end up containing as much iodine either. The local food authority ended up recommending that iodized salt be used not only in schools etc. but also in bakeries and the food industry. Apparently some have followed suit, although not to a full extent.

A quick look at some store-bought packaged bread and the package of a frozen baguette I ate last night shows a bit more than half of them have or had iodized salt. That includes, perhaps a little surprisingly, the store-brand frozen baguette. The few other packages I have at hand don't indicate iodized salt but I've heard its use in the food industry has increased from the practically zero it used to be.

So, the answer might be a resounding no or a less resounding one, depending on where you are.

[1] Source: general impression of what I've read and heard, so basically a hunch

[rscho]

Of course not