To Mrs. Norma Joseph from Leeds: I too, use salt substitute, and swear by it. When I was 25, my blood pressure was 160/100 and I had to take meds. Now I'm 49, and my B/P is 125/70 and I take no meds. My secret? My diet, my potassium (Chemical symbol K) intake, and exercise. Salt substitute uses K instead of Sodium (Na), and K is a double blessing. K and Na are both necessary for life, but in foods found in nature (i.e vegetables, fruits, whole grains) the K and Na are BALANCED. With processed foods, the K is stripped away and the Na ( in the form of table salt, sodium chloride, NaCl) is dumped on. And K is known to reduce blood pressure, while Na raises it. So this is why people who eat a lot of processed food tend to have high blood pressure, because they get too much Na and not enough K

The Morton Salt Co. also makes K salt substitute, and you should be able to get it in the UK. Not the best tasting stuff, but it beats taking B/P meds.

Don
Philadelphia PA

Don, Philadelphia, PA

Salt is used to replace the taste in foods that have been overprocessed. Once you elliminate the processed food from your diet and your taste buds adjust to eating less salt, you will be surprised not only how much flavor food really has, but how salty other foods are in comparison.

As far as goiter - the cause of goiter was a lack of iodine in the diet, not salt. Goiter became rare in the United States after iodized salt was introduced. In some parts of the world, however, goiter is still common because of iodine deficiency.

L J Cook, West Milford, NJ

Regarding Nigel Hawkes's front page article on Friday April 20th 2007. I use "NOSALT" which is a salt substitute which I have had sent to me from the USA. I have not been able to source it from anywhere in this Country. Since your article, have you had any mention of this product. The product "NOSALT" contains, Potassium instead of Sodium. I would be most grateful if you could let me know of anything you have heard of.
Thank you.

mrs. norma joseph, leeds, u.k

It sickens me how much scientists are deified. As if whatever they say is the perfect word of the gods. Science can and does get things wrong from time to time. Hey! Remember the times of blood-letting? Remember when tonsilectomies were en vogue? Who remembers when doctors recommended children get regular enemas? It seems salt has been villified once more. But does anyone know what thyroid goiter is and what causes it? Hmm. Salt can't be all THAT bad, can it.

Joe Cortez, Salinas, CA

We don't demonize everything. Obviously many substances should be avoided, and new studies will offer up more and more precise recommendations, but the general recommendations that held 100 years ago still hold today: eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in high-fat meat. Sure, we've gotten more precise, a diet low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, eliminate hydrogenated fat, consume fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, high in potassium, a diet rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, high in antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables, but it's really just a further clarification on the original recommendations. Frequently we'll find certain health foods don't prevent everything, but we rarely find them to be outright harmful. We're currently teetering on a debate between "cut your high salt intake to as much as we've recommended" to "cut your high salt intake to far less than we've recommended before". No matter what, you probably should reduce your salt!

Tym, Durham, NC

I agree with Mr. Desmond Taylor, processed food is the evil. Change the common (chemical) salt for sea salt is a good idea since the last one maintains the natural oligoelements and vitamins. Fresh fruits and vegetables, maximum amount of natural food, raw fish twice a week but red meat only once a week. 20 more healthy years!

Pitanga do Amparo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This is no news... but i am amazed by people's reaction: of course it depends on your blood-pressure, and it's not cutting totally salt that they are advising, just reducing it. And, no, salt's not the worst in this bad bad world, but how wrong is it to inform people ? Just keep cool, be intelligent, scientists make studies, they don't hold the perfect truth everytime, though they tend to approach it.

Girl, Reims, France

Long ago, there was a company called Bayer They produced Aspirin. That was called a failure then again through the microscopes it is now a wonder drug. The scientists kicked out Pluto. When are they bringing it back?

Firozali A. Mulla MBA PhD, DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Hardly news. I use Mediterranean salt. It has a more salty taste, so one uses less. The real killer, is processed foods. My theory is that It if I have to have a degree in chemistry to know what I am eating, I am not eating. There is a butter substitute that is one molucule away from plastic!!!. .I did an experiment with this substance. I put an opened tub in my garage for two weeks. In the Houston summer my garage gets toasty.!! The substance separated into solids and a golden liquid. .For two weeks it was in my garage for anything to nibble. Nothing touched this stuff. Even dust did not settle. Went straight back to butter.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

Table salt is NaCl. How come Sodium(Na) gets all of the attention and the Cloride(Cl) none?

amy, nyc,

Funny how even in a dietary article we need to mention how dumb Bush is, How Europeans hate America, and how gullible global warming alarmists are.

Focus people. Focus.

I would have liked to have learned exactly how the study group lowered salt intake. Did they stop eating certain foods? Less meat? More meat? Chips/Crisps/Fries? Foods cooked in oil? Cheese? Eggs? All of these are pretty boring without salt, unless you jazz them up with chillies/peppers which might have health benefits of their own.

carlos, cornwall,

A true report!
My doctor advised me to use less salt to lower my blood pressure. I did; my pressure dropped, and the 'ringing' in my ears nearly vanished. I drink more water also. I was a heavy user of salt; I hope I did not harm myself beyond repair. I am 66 years young, and would like to continue on a bit longer......... :)
Richard Serradovitch Pa.

Richard Serradovitch, Punxsutawney, Pa. U.S.A.

Junk food tastes better, that sums it up..

Fira Hershey, NW, US

Hearthrob - Heartache - Sweetheart - Heartburn - those can go, so can the pro-
cessed food, thanks to Delia's," One is Fun " - the salt stays, particularly Maldon
Sea salt. I've heard that one about salt is bad for you for over seven decades.

Brian Charles Seals, Scarborough, England

Yet another study done poorly, and without merit.

We need salt. If your kidneys are not flushing out the excess, then maybe you need to be rescued from your island.

The truth is that these so called "doctors" rely on grant money to prove a point, and if the data suggests otherwise they lie.

Antonio, SAG, MI, USA

"salt-sensitive"?

give me a break...

s, SF, CA

I am beginning to think if I don't eat anything at all I'll live forever.

jeff, Grosse Pointe, Michigan

It's not clear if cutting out table salt used to cook with is beneficial. It appears the study shows cutting pre-processed foods is beneficial.

David Bowright, Hampton, VA

I have low blood pressure. I need more salt than other people. I am healthy, and I do add more salt to my home made food. I'm not cutting it whatever your studies might say.

Yoli, Madrid/Madrid, Spain

Ahahaha! More "good for you" nonsense. How do Nigel Hawkes and Dr. Cook's team account for the low incidence of heart disease in countries such as Japan where they eat practically everything with soy sauce or the food is highly salted. Hmmm... Living a healthy life takes more than simply cutting certain foods from diets.

As a Chinese friend of mine says, "we have 4 basic food groups: rice, soy sauce, salt, and msg". Over 1 billion Chinese can't be wrong.

Patty, Norfolk, UK

Studies like this are mildly interesting but don't "prove" anything. Human Beings have been eating salted meats for thousands of years and we're still doing just fine, maybe too fine.

I have a deal for Salty Dog above. I'll get more Americans to intake salt if he gets more Europeans to gorge on Foie gras.

We'll see who lasts longer. And Salty Dog could you buy me a pint? I'll buy the next round. You sound like you need it!

Erick Blair, LA, CA

Is this for real, trying to cut salt intake from 10 GRAMS a day to 6 GRAMS a day? Holy toledo ! I honestly don't think cutting consumption to 6 GRAMS a day will have that much effect, it's like cutting back from 6 packs of cigarettes a day to 4.

Here in the US I think the dietary guideline is no more than 2.4 grams a day, which in my opinion is still too high.

When people spend a lifetime eating a high-salt diet without consequences then they have their blood pressure creep up later in life, it becomes very very difficult to bring the blood pressure back down, even when cutting out added salt.

I'd be interested in knowing more about the occurrence of hemorraghic stroke in the Japanese population. Perhaps elderly Japanese don't suffer the heart attacks and atherosclerosis that heavy meat-eaters do, but perhaps heavy meaters aren't as likely to suffer hemorraghic stroke because a heart attack kills them first.

Susan, Redondo Beach, USA

I'm a healthe nut and when people ask me for advice, I tell them in a nutshell, to begin with, avoid ALL processed foods. That is the simpliest advice I can give them since it takes many years to learn all the health tips and how it should be applied to diet so it "sticks and learn" category.

Drinking too much water can also deplete your potassium reserves so be careful. As they say moderation in everything.

Nelson, Honolulu,

This "salt" study compared the outcome many years later of people, with some degree of blood pressure, who had originally received 18 months counselling about avoiding salt, with other hypertensive people who had not received counselling.
Those who subsequently were avoiding salt would have had to avoid packet food and choose more healthy alternatives one of which is fresh foods. By avoiding salt they were certainly also avoiding the sugar in most packet food and even the sugar present with salt in bread.
It is not rocket science, is it? A healthy diet, particularly one with less sugar, will result in less chronic disease. Well done Harvard! It just goes to show if researchers go looking for a particular result they will find it.
Warren Ward

Warren Ward, Wales, Wales

As a road worker in hot northern Australia in the 1960's, we were issued salt tablets each day because we sweated profusely. The more I used the more I sweated - as my body expelled the excess salt. At the end of the day I had a salt crust on my brow. The less salt I used, the less I sweated. Salt in moderation I'd say.

Mark, Fremantle, W. Australia

The question is are they talking about processed salt or sea salt that is low heat dehydrated or from acient sea beds? There is a big big difference and the majority of the people are using the crappy processed salt . If you use the good quality salt you can use as much as you want, use the processed stuff along with all the processed food and body beware!
Annette, Vermont, USA

Annette, South Royalton, VT

First, a question. How much does a teaspoon of salt weigh? I have no idea, and so cannot estimate how much salt I am adding to my food.

Second, a comment. I add a lot of salt to my food (although I eat very little processed food). I really love salt. Yet my blood pressure is low. So my heavy salt intake Is not affecting it adversely. Or is my body telling me I need the salt?

gillian, london,

Just another thing people can worry about. I like salt, i like oil and butter and I'm neither fat nor unhealthy...and I'm pretty sure that my chances to be run over by a car or being hit by a meteor are bigger than dying from my salty diet. To worry about that and not about the dirt in the air we breath day to day is like someone pointing a gun at you and you worry about the fact that you might be allergic to the metal used for the barrel ;)

P.S. Don't take me too serious

mocca, Basefield, Cansas

I don't buy this for one moment. What about people in places such as Alaska who eat copious amounts of salt and do not suffer these ailments? If you read between the lines you will discover that the "salty foods" are also heavily processed and deep-fried and generally bad for you anyway, regardless of the salt. Obviously if you stop eating those foods you would be healthier. It's like blaming a glass because your drinking water is brackish. I bet they won't study Alaskans because they know their results won't hold up. Salt is natural. Your body is capable of handling natural things. Butter is natural, margarine is not.

Robert, Lexington, Kentucky USA

I tried the potassium salt. The flavour stayed in my mouth all day. It wasn't nice at all.

Fact is, if you cut out salt, you won't notice it anymore after a while (and you'll find everything else tastes really salty).

starling, Lancaster,

Who PAID for this 15 year study?

amy, nyc,

One has to be careful using Salt Substitute as it substitutes potassium for sodium. They are chemically almost identical. Excessive levels of potassium are used to stop the heart in lethal injections. Used in moderation, it should be fine, but it is no panacea to used without regard.

Greg M, Louisiana, USA

Here is the bottom line folks…. Eat right, exercise and still die…. You might as well at least enjoy the time you have left in this world. Butter up that bacon and pass me another chili-dog!

Greg S, Rio Rico, AZ, USA

bull! more junk science fromt he global warming, secondhand smoke , tofu is good for you hysteria geeks.

satchmo, albany, ny

In response to Harry Beckham: why would anyone want to add sea salt to their water? Saltwater tastes horrible! I thought people only drank saltwater to reduce diarrhoea.

Louise, London,

Yeah.... but many people do not have elevated blood pressure from salt consumption, and do not need to reduce their salt intake. It only applies to those who are salt-sensitive, and the article should point this out.

George , Phoenix AZ, USA

What about women with IC ? How much better off is less sodium in the bladder, with an intake of 400 - 600 mg daily ? The above reference article speaks of high blood pressure, but what about the positive effects in other body areas, such as the bladder and bladder wall deteriateing because excess sodium being passed to the bladder and iritating the bladder wall ? Was any test done in this area?

fra, brandon, ms

While it's clear and also common sense that sodium reduction in hypertensive people will both lower your blood pressure (more so in some than others) which will lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, it is unclear to me from the study if the result of lowered stroke risk was from the salt or from the effect lower blood pressure.

Another question which the study leaves unanswered: would salt reduction result in a lower stroke risk in normotensive people?

More study is clearly needed.

DB, Birmingham, AL, USA

The study makes no mention of athletes. I run, bike, play
golf, mow the grass, and walk among other things. My
salt intake is very high, and although I am 66 years old,
my blood pressure is normal. It is the sedentary lifestyle,
not the salt intake that is killing these people. Reducing
their salt intake will only mask the real problem, excessive accumulation and storage of FAT!

jane, Alpharetta, GA

Feel free to send you salt over to us "Yanks". A commercial told me that if I eat 0.5 pounds (226.7962g) a day I will be healthier, wealthier and more attractive.

Drinking more water does work. You salt/sodium you body needs to maintain the concentration so it hold on to more water, hence the bloating. However, if you are drinking enough water you will flush out faster and everything is good. With some extreme exception more water wont hurt you. In fact you will get more exercise by walking to the bathroom more. Its win, win.

Sal Inity, Yankton, USA

We live in a much worse polluted enviroment than before also we are consuning more processed, convenient food or ready meals than ever yet our present average life expectancy is the longest in human history. Surely we must be doing something right!

Wing, Poole, UK

The article ignores the fact that not all salts are the same. You cannot compare ordinary table salt (which I avoid where possible) with himalayan pink salt with all its minerals which we need. I take a teaspoon of sole most mornings (salt dissolved in water) made with himalayan salt, and feel so much better for it.

Valerie Forster, Baldock, England

Q: What do dolphins drink?
Sure, science says they find water in the fish they eat but does this make sense? Considering they live in a constant state of an activity we consider to be cardiovascular exercise, namely swimming, do they not occasionally get very thirsty?
Let's face it. Our highly-paid scientists aren't figuring anything out for us.
Here's a hypothesis to test: people who steadfastly ignore the best medical advice live longer, true or false?

HM's loyal subject, Pittsburgh, USA

Colin Tudge wrote a book 'The Future Cook' and in it described an experiment conducted with the Israeli Army to show that additional salt in one's diet, regardless of your level of activity, is not necessary; one group ate as normal, with the added salt, the other had a salt-free diet and merely drank a lot more water. There was no significant difference between the performance of either group.

carol atkinson, Basingstoke, Hants

Once again you mislead readers by citing salt levels in products for quantities which are way more than the average portion - 100g of breakfast cereal or snacks is about three times the standard portion.

Watchdog, London, UK

I like salt. But not TOO much.

Bill Snively, Raleigh, NC/USA

There goes my salt water taffy diet.

If it's not the sugar that offs us it will be the caffeine or, in this case, the salt.

J. Cotton, Cincinnati, US

The food processing industry -FPI- is in the same position as the tobacco industry -TI- was 40 years ago. Denial. It is in this position for the same reason. The FPI makes money out of selling salty, sugary, fatty food.

I do not have to smoke. I do have to eat. For cost reasons, I have to buy processed food. The FPI has 'captive' customers and like the TI, it is contributing to the early death of its customers. As there are millions of customers, it can make billions of pounds.

In 40 years, we will be able to look back and view the PFI like we now view the TI. By then, those who have made billions contributing to the ill heath and early death of their customers, will have long past into retirement and enjoyed their money. Which, I would suggest, they will have spent on fresh and not processed food.

Phil, W Yorkshire, UK

From the evidence so far of the salt-eating Americans above, I would suggest that salt rots the brain too.

Disappointed, London, UK

sadly, this story makes no distinction between salt and sodium. Some kinds of salt, such as sea salt, have much less sodium. In addition, sodium is an essential for life. Every person's needs are dependent upon how much they perspire, how much fluid intake. These studies understand this but somewhere between the scientists and the media coverage it always gets misreported. And yes, the Mortons products Richard Bennett refers to use potassisum, likewise an essential for life and good health, to balance the impact of sodium on the diet. Good products if properly used. See your doctor.

Jimmy, Tampa, USA/Florida

this is the stupidest study i've ever seen. "scientists used counselling and advice to persuade participants to reduce intake." somehow participants were brainwashed into thinking ONLY salt was bad for them, while every other one of their disgusting self-destructive habits was ok to continue unabated? If i cared enough about my health to stop eating salt, trust me, i would quit about 30-40 other things that were "bad" for me first. ANd yes, maybe one of those things might have a 1/5 chance of increasing my existence, but NOT SALT. What are we, some species of cave slug?

richard, Mars, America

AS soneone with high blood pressure which runs in the family. They all died of stroke or heart attack. I try to limit my salt intake but find it very hard to do unless it is fresh. Some goods which are low in salt are high in fat which is also not good for you. what do I chooose low fat high salt or low salt high salt

june hart, essex, england

I had a stroke 9 years ago, and as a result was advised to reduce my (insignificant, anyway) salt intake. This I did by substituting the salt-free "salt" (potassium chloride) when necessary. Whilst being ionically and chemically similar to its common counterpart, this substance really is vile!! So much so that I reverted, on the rare occasions when salt was needed (eg on chips!!), back to good old table salt. Life's happier as a result

Chris Irwin, Dorchester, UK

I think this research just spells out what everyone already knew or could have surmised through the salt-blood pressure and blood pressure-cardiovascular problems links anyway. Whether people choose to listen to the new evidence or not is doubtful, after all it's only telling them something that they already suspected.

Deborah, London,

While the Japanese live long lives and their diet is very high in salt, they also suffer from an unusually high rate of stomach cancer. Salt may be a factor, and their long lives in general a result of the mitigating influence of a diet heavy on vegetables and fish, and low on animal fat.

Brian Backus, San Francisco, CA

Did the study control for other things that often occur with high salt foods? Mainly, most processed prepackaged foods are very high in salt, and in trans fats. Trans fats do tons of damage to the heart, so maybe cutting salt actually cut trans fats and other chemicals in processed food

john, ny, ny

And who knows what a G of salt looks like or how much /3 is Are we talking a little sprinkle out of a salt shaker or a lot. The average person has little knowledge of what these reccomendations actualy mean. How about some simple instructions. We have nothing in the house to measure a G of salt

Bill Hill, salmon , Idaho

I find it odd that the Japanese, who are well-known for a high-salt diet have some of the highest life-expectancies around; but this study suggests they should be dropping like veritable flies.

Lane Lombardia, Stamford, US/CT

I spent close to $20,000 trying to find out why every couple of weeks I would have a high blood pressure attack. After blood work, CT scans, heart Doppler and even a kidney angio (phenocromosarcanomas) it was found that I had salt related attacks. I would eat 4 pieces of pizza and have Bps of 180/120 to 180/150 with pulse of 120-150. I would be given fluids at the hospital and my pressure would go back down after several hours.

These were very scary and now I do not eat anything processed, lunch meats, sauces and such. I check salt content and won't buy it if it has any kid of preservatives as they effect my even more so. Preservatives are mostly salt and there are low salt foods but have preservatives and that sets me off. I have learned if I drink lots of smart water this helps off set the salt intake.

I use to have these attacks 2-4 times a month and since I stopped the salt I haven't had an attack in four months.

Margaret, Gilbert, AZ

Quote
But the Salt Manufacturers’ Association questioned the quality and conclusions of the study. “The research only relates to subjects who already have high blood pressure. Most people have acknowledged for some time that such individuals may be advised to restrict their salt intake with their GP’s advice.

The truth is more likely to be be that a large proportion of the populace have elevated/high blood pressure, but don't know about it as they've not had their blood pressure checked.

Reducing salt intake is a good way of benefiting the population at large in a generalised way. It is not, nor is it meant to be, a panacea.

The only real losers from a reduction in salt usage will be the members of the Salt Manufacturers Association and I think we ALL know where theit interests lie!

Seán , Saint Clar,

So fresh food and home cooking is good for you - this is news?

KR, Stockport,

Everyone's body is different, e.g one person can have no dairy, another can have all they want. One person can drink beer all night and still balance his checkbook, while the other guy is nodding off after one beer.

Myself, I love salty foods, and add salt liberally to just about everything. I have checkups with my doctor every 3 months and my blood pressure is always low to normal. These studies are helpful, but obviously not always conclusive.

W. C. Wood, New York, USA

My husband the doctor has seen some people with dangerously high potassium levels from using tons of the fake salt -- just a warning! If you switch because you're using far too much salt, tone it down as well -- or use more cayenne or other spices to keep your food very flavorful.

And the salt people are right -- there are people who need *more* sodium -- people like my father with naturally very low blood pressure, certain OAPs, etc. Had a problem in a Florida heat wave a decade or so ago when quite a few elderly people died of dehydration -- they were drinking water, but they had reduced their salt intake far more than they needed to, so their bodies could not retain the water. What do they give you when you're dehydrated? salt; what's in gatorade and all that? salt -- there's a reason for it! Cut down if you need to, sure, but remember -- you need salt to live!

Adrianne, from London to El Paso, TX, USA

However, for those of us with healthy blood pressure levels, (moderately) increasing salt is a good way to increase food flavor while reducing calories. Prepared food companies like to add a lot of salt to food for this reason - not for your benefit - it allows the use of less ingredients.

philip Warburton, Rochester, NY

i used 2 have high blood presure, 200 plus.
i had heart attack.
i would wake about 2a.m. v. low blood pressure, was hydrated, good 4 a week, then spells again, again, again.
then mayo said 2 eat salt plus salt pill daily.
ok since taking salt.

marci fenske, rochester, mn.

I have tried to limit salt intake since I was in my 20s and now am a sr. citizen with blood pressure varying very little from 112/62. But when ever I travel or eat out too often or am unable to control my salt intake, my feet swell and my rings get tight. Those of you who like salt and are not worried about your salt intake can always shake a little extra on. Those of us trying to limit salt intake cannot take it out very easily at the table. So how about getting people in the food industry to lower the salt added to our foods, and leave a slat shaker on the table.

Alice Mae Guckin, Duluth, MN

All I know is that when I cut salt out of my diet, except for the natural salt in food, I lost weight, my blood pressure went down, and I felt more energy! Salt is bad for me at least.

Gary Moore, Greenville, SC

How can any study on Salt claim legitimacy unless it takes into account Effect of Salt in the Diets of the Japanese.

My personal exposure to Japanese culture (many years and lots of meals) suggests that Japan has a very high salt intake by these standards.

There are additional factors at work, and changing salt intake alone may not make a difference.

JuzThinkin, Bay Area, California

My friend would eat alot of salt and he would have really cold hands, after he stopped eatting as much his colour came back to him and his hands returned to a normal temperature, it was obvious the salt was really bad for his circulation, I only ever add a little salt to me food, I think this trafic light idea should be done for salt, fat and sugar, thanks

Adam Webb, Bucks, UK

A year ago I started a program of limiting my daily salt intake. No other single act has had more influence on my health. The facts are in yet they are ignored.

Ron, Houston, Texas

In response to Louise you can cut out all added salt to your food and you will be absolutely fine. Food natuarlly contains salt. But it is good salt as opposed to the artificial salt that we have in our salt shakers which we done' need at all.
You can get all the salts and minerals you need from eating good food.

sereen, london ,

"Processed salt" is inaccurate... NaCl is table salt, and if there are 84 other minerals in there, you've got yourself a lot of contamination that may be harmful. The only caution that I would put forth in this study is that very salty foods almost unequivocally are foods high in transfat or high GI carbohydrates, which are extremely bad for your health. It is possible that sodium is not a harm to the body, but rather the reduction of salty foods shows a benefit due to the removal of 'bad' foods from the diet.

Carl, Levittown, USA/NY

Studies that show less than 2-to-1 risk ratios (some researchers say 3-to-1) are insignificant. The Times's headline should have read,"Scientists show salty diets have no effect."

Regards,

Bill Drissel, Grand Prairie, Texas / USA

We have known this for years!

Chantel, UK,

I have to question whether any of the items listed at the bottom of the article are actually FOODS. The soup and the flakes come the closest and even those two things are highly processed. I wonder what the nutrient:junk ratio is for each.

One of the reasons we in the west are so unhealthy is because what we consider food has become so twisted.

A good rule of thumb for getting and staying healthy: avoid things in boxes, things with too many ingredients, certainly things with ingredients that you don't recognize.

Avoid processed foods altogether and I guarantee you'll feel better almost immediately.

health_avenger, Hoboken, NJ/USA

I just wanna know if we don't instake any salt everyday ,what would happen?
In order to lose my weight and save my money ,I have many days not to eat any salt.Does it hurt to my body?

Louise, Fujian, China

I will be 50-yrs. old at the end of this year. I quit using the salt shaker when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I diminish or use no salt in recipes of food that I prepare for myself and others. My palate is sensitive to all the salt that is already contained in the food from about every variety you can imagine. Friends and aquaintances alike are always amazed that I ask to pass only the pepper, leave the salt behind!

mikieinit, San Diego, California

Himalayan salt contains 84 minerals unlike the processed table salt. This is the best alternative.

ARTHUR BROCKLEBANK, Liverpool, England

i agrre proccessed salt is, and always has been harmful to the human body. There's plenty naturally in fruit and vegetables for our needs.
Seeing the comments above, lets give all our salt to the Yanks who seem to be able to be brainwashed into believing anything

Ges Brown, Christchurch, England

Of these boffins! This all depends on the amount of sport you do (athletes need more salt) the region of the world you live in (The more you sweat, the more salt you need) etc. etc. Please, enough reductionism and simplistic theories, guys.
Remember you live on the earth, if you want to be the salt of it.

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

I thought that this fact had been known for years? I remember my grandfather eating salt-free food to save his heart.

I wish I could buy lower salt food at a decent price, the cheap spread I buy has 2% salt in it, yeugh.

"Humans have to drink enough water each day to offset the salt intake. "

That doesn't work. Eating too much salt just means your body holds on to the water, so you'll end up bloated. You could kill yourself by drinking so much water.

The whole "drink 2 litres of water a day" thing is a bit of a myth: you only need to drink 1.5 litres, the rest of your fluid intake will come from food. If you eat lots of fruit and veg, you need to drink even less.

starling, Lancaster,

Atta boy mr. cummings sir. I am mighty pround of you. You are doing your duty as a good american. If we stop eating salt the terrorists have won.

nimbu, dover, de

In my case this would appear to be correct. In the last two months my salt intake has reduced and has been supplemented by potassium chloride or "light" salt. I have had high blood pressure for 3 years and now it is back to normal!

Stephen Baddeley, Sydney, Australia

Salt... it's the next best thing to sugar!

Drew, California, USA

Quote:
"But the Salt Manufacturers’ Association questioned the quality and conclusions of the study. “The research only relates to subjects who already have high blood pressure. Most people have acknowledged for some time that such individuals may be advised to restrict their salt intake with their GP’s advice."

The truth is more likely to be be that a large proportion of the populace have elevated/high blood pressure, but don't know about it as they've not had their blood pressure checked recently, which is why hypertension is known as the "Silent Killer".

Reducing salt intake is a good way of benefiting the population at large in a generalised way. It is not, nor is it meant to be, a panacea.

The only real losers from a reduction in salt usage will be the members of the Salt Manufacturers' Association and I think we ALL know where their interests lie!

Seán , Saint Clar,

No salt and salt lite contain potassium rather than sodium chloride which tends to lower blood pressure and should, in theory be better for you

Adam, Manchester, UK

i am a salt addict. i put salt on everything. but i have normal bp. my colestral level is below a hundred. my wife hates me for it. also i train 6 days a wek at a gym where i di anerobic and aerobic training. so i guess i am lucky. my father did die of a heart attack but he was smoking over a pack a day. mi dont smoke or drink. so i am either smart or a bore at parties. i am always the designated driver so thats a plus. its also funny to watch my friends.

carl, tampa, usa/fl

What about products such as No Salt and Morton's Salt Lite? Are they really healthier alternatives to table salt?

Richard Bennett, Los Angeles, CA

As a dog who enjoys salt, I'd like to see more salt implemented into the daily life of an American.

Salty Dog, Brule, USA Nebraska

My name is Charles E Cumming and I am a moron from Texas, exactly what you would expect from Texas, much like the president of the united states, I am anti-science, and anti-education.

God wouldn't let salt harm our beloved bodies, this is why I eat McDonalds 10 times a day.

Charles E Cumming, Dallas, Texas, USA

It would have been more informative if you include in the artcile the salt content of meat-assosiated foord/products like ham, salami, bacon, etc...

James, Newcastle, UK

Good stuff.

Terry, Henderson, Nevada - USA

Humans have to drink enough water each day to offset the salt intake.
I drink half my body weight each day of water in oz's. I eat a banana each day. ( I also add one quarter teaspoon of seasalt to each quart of water, not to exceed two quarts each day.)

I have been doing this for the past 7 years. I'm 73 and my blood pressure is perfect. In fact it has gone down.

My weight is perfect. My doctor says I'm in excellant heath.

People should not drink coffee, tea or cola drinks, as they will dehydrate you. If you do do the above, then drink the same amount of water in addition to the other drinks.

I have a complete blood work up every 4 months. My Dr. is very happy with my diet.

Harry Beckham, Longwood, USA- Florida

This is another attempt by some scientists to regulate behavior. By ignoring the vast majority of the population who are not salt sensitive this so-called study is part of the agenda that says, "We are all going to die, sooner unless you all follow our recommendations" Much ado about nothing similar to those who say humans are responsible for global warming. Duh, it's the fault of the sun. These variances occur without any human involvement. This is just another way for the government bureaucrats to grab more of our money for their pet projects. Don't you think it's time for the peasants to revolt and hold the government accountable?

Charles E Cumming, Dallas, Texas , USA

Since this study was done in America, Europeans should reject the results and increase their salt intake.

Daniel, San Diego, CA, US

Good stuff

Scotty, Henderson, Nevada - USA

yeah... whatever.

Robert Guildig, Phoenix, AZ

I like to eat everything with added salt. I make my own "Gatorade" with extra salt, and I am training for the Rock'n'Roll marathon in June. I have low blood pressure, and I am fit. Low-salt diet is bunk.

Norm, San Diego, California

Cut out the processed food, stop the the ready made micro wave meals, make a priority to prepare food, shop for fresh produce and use Himalayan salt which has 84 minerals in it instead of the refined table salt. Fresh food was not made to be preserved in a tin or plastic tray. Try to eat as close as nature intended.
We forget how much chemicals we are consuming in these meals that may be causing diseases

ARTHUR BROCKLEBANK, Liverpool, England

This is of no surprise at all. Lets hope there are similar studies for sugar and white flour out there.
As for salt everybody change to sea salt. It has a more balanced profile than sodium table salt and then reduce your intake.
Everybody needs a very small amount of salt so always have a little.

Andy B, London, UK

If the American Science in the Public Interest has contributed anything to this study, it is worthless. These foodies have an agenda to make government the arbiter of what people should eat. Communists!

Kismet, Lousiville, Kentucky

I am a low blood pressure person It is difficult too keep it up too standards. I must salt many of the things I eat too retain water.
I did see the statement that all may not benefit. I am one that doesnt.
I am 80 years old and have health problems. I have had too fight with doctors that wanted me too reduce my salt intake. If i do i dehidrate quickly. No matter how much water I drink.
Sends it right to the urination. 20 minutes after a couple glasses of water will be passed. I take raw salt as I dont like my food salted too the level that is comfortable.
I take a capsule a day. All I have too do it miss a couple days and and symtoms return. I would caution anyone with lower than normal blood pressure too be very careful.
When all the foods I was eating were reduced in salt I got into some real bad results. Would pass out. Had too stop driving. I have been on the salt for 5 years now and driving with out a black out in that time.

Rex Clayton, Galena , Mo

I will be 50-yrs. old at the end of this year. I quit using the salt shaker when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I diminish or use no salt in recipes of food that I prepare for myself and others. My palate is sensitive to all the salt that is already contained in the food from just about every variety you can think. Friends and aquaintances alike are always amazed that I ask to pass only the pepper, leave the salt behind!

mikieinit, San Diego, California