Is it healthy or unhealthy for salt in our diet?

It is healthy to have salt in the diet because it provides sodium, an essential nutrient. We should get around 2,300 mg of salt a dayl. Presently, many people get 4 - 6 grams a day. It is healthy to get 2,300 mg a day to help meet body needs. It is not healthy to consume high levels of sodium -- especially in people whose blood pressure increase with high intake. So, low levels can be healthy and high levels of salt can be unhealthy.

While salt is a necessary nutrient, most Americans consume many times more sodium than they need in a day. Too much salt can raise one's blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Processed foods are notoriously high in sodium- just a can of soup can contain more than a days worth of salt!

Assuming you consume a "typical" diet, it's nearly impossible to not get enough sodium- you'd have to try extremely hard to wind up with a sodium deficiency. Essentially every packaged food contains substantial amounts of added salt. Salted nuts, packaged lunch meat, canned fish, soups, chips, salsa and various sauces are all usually high in sodium. Even healthy items, such as whole grains, skim or soy milk and egg whites tend to contain a good deal of salt. The only foods normally available with minimal sodium would be fruits and vegetables- but some people prepare such foods with extra table salt!

Really, the only time a normal person might wind up with a sodium deficiency is if they were unable to consume normal food or liquids due to an illness (such as a long-term upset stomach or diarrhea) or recent surgery. Athletes do have increased sodium needs, but these requirements are usually still below what Americans typically consume.

i agree!