Salt, which is an indispensable part of our tables, is also vital for our body to perform its normal function. It is an essential mineral for acid-base balance, and blood pressure control, and indirectly for the nervous and muscular systems. However, salt should be consumed with the “less is more” approach. Because high levels of use cause hypertension, as well as have a negative effect on kidneys, eye, and bone health.

Underlining that a healthy individual's daily salt consumption should be less than 5 grams, that is, less than 1 teaspoon, Yeditepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialists said that this amount is 9-12 grams in the world, while it reaches 18 grams in Turkey. Noting that what was meant by “salt” is the mineral sodium chloride, they said, “Apart from the salt that we personally add to what we eat, it is abundant in ready-made foods, flavoring substances, biscuits, soft drinks, and soda. Therefore, we get more sodium chloride than we need in our body during the day.”

Specialists drew attention to the myths about this subject in a statement made on the occasion of "World Salt Awareness Week".

I Have High Blood Pressure, So I Should Never Eat Salt

Stating that while this information is partially correct, some patients are very meticulous and never eat salt, Yeditepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialists said, “These patients lose too much salt, mostly due to the diuretic effect of the blood pressure medications they use. This is especially common in people aged 70 and over. The number of patients admitted to the hospital with loss of consciousness and diagnosed with low sodium levels is quite high. Low sodium levels can occur in the elderly due to various hormonal reasons, brain tumors, and kidney diseases. Therefore, patients should definitely receive information from their physicians about how much salt should be consumed.”

Using Artificial Salt Is Not Harmful

The use of artificial salt comes to the forefront of the information that people misunderstand. Artificial salt preparations contain potassium instead of sodium. These preparations, which are used in high doses considering that they are harmless, have a risk of causing serious conditions such as heart rhythm disorder, sudden cardiac arrest, muscle spasms and cramps, and adrenal gland disorders by increasing potassium levels. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful when consuming these.

Himalayan and Rock Salt Are More Beneficial

Pointing out that "Himalayan and rock salt", which has been heard frequently in recent years and stated to be healthy, is not more beneficial than table salt, as is thought, specialists said, “In particular, Himalayan salts contain other minerals besides sodium chloride. These salts can be carcinogenic because some of them have a radioactive effect. In addition, since the amount of iodine in these salts is insufficient, they increase the risk of thyroid cancer.”

When to Use Iodized and Non-iodized Salt?

Yeditepe University Hospitals Internal Medicine Specialists, who said that one of the most frequently asked questions about salt is "whether to use iodized salt or non-iodized salt", gave information on this subject: “Due to the World Health Organization's warning that non-iodized salt increases the risk of thyroid cancer, non-iodized salt was not available in our country for a while. However, since the risk of goiter, i.e. thyroid gland enlargement, increases in excess iodine, patients with goiter and overactive thyroid glands should prefer non-iodized salt. As a result, iodized salt should be used in those who have no problems with the thyroid gland, have a family history of thyroid cancer, or those with an underactive thyroid gland, and non-iodized salt should be used in those with a fairly large thyroid gland and high thyroid hormones.”

Press Coverage: milliyet.com | hurriyet.com | cnnturk.com