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RSS & PodcastsSalt - a vital mineral
Salt is a vital mineral that plays a central role in controlling nerves and muscles as well as the fluid balance of the human body. However, especially in relation to blood pressure, salt is repeatedly hitting the headlines. Frequently, it is recommended to use salt sparingly in order to prevent abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) or even to lower blood pressure. Such allegedly beneficial effects of giving up salt have, however, not been proven. On the contrary: scientific studies show that switching to a diet low in salt is by no means always healthy, but may result in serious, adverse metabolic effects. K+S is committed to objective communication about salt and health.
Salt is indispensable to human health
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For the human organism, salt is just as important as water. Because salt, in conjunction with water, forms the basis for numerous metabolic processes: by regulating our electrolytic and fluid balances, necessary nutrients are released in the body and consumed substances excreted. Salt also plays a central role in controlling nerves and muscles. Furthermore, sufficient salt consumption is a prerequisite for mental and physical fitness. Last but not least, sodium is important for the skeletal system,while chloride,as an essential component of stomach acid, plays a role in digestive processes. Especially in relation to blood pressure, salt is repeatedly hitting the headlines. |
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Consumers are frequently advised to use salt sparingly in order to prevent abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) or even to lower their blood pressure. Such allegedly beneficial effects of giving up salt have, however, not been proven. It is rather the case that current studies by the “Cochrane Collaboration“ demonstrate that blood pressure only falls on average very slightly when a low-salt diet is followed.The reason for the weak relationship between blood pressure and salt intake is not surprising: a healthy body normally excretes salt via the kidneys if more salt is consumed than is needed. Only in the case of half of all patients suffering from high blood pressure is there any kind of relationship to salt, according to the study, and only 20 per cent of cases are in the narrow sense salt-sensitive. At best, a minority of hypertonics would be able to profit from a low-salt diet.
Further information can be found at www.cochrane.org
