Is too much salt harmful? Yes

Abstract

The contribution of high sodium intake to hypertension and to the severity of immune-mediated diseases is still being heatedly debated in medical literature and in the lay media. This review aims to demonstrate two conflicting views on the topic, with the first part citing the detrimental effects of excessive salt consumption. Sodium plays a central role in volume and blood pressure homeostasis, and the positive correlation between sodium intake and blood pressure has been extensively researched. Despite the fact that the average of global daily salt consumption exceeds recommendations of international associations, health damage from excessive salt intake is still controversial. Individual differences in salt sensitivity are in great part attributed to this contradiction. Patients suffering from certain diseases as well as other vulnerable groups-either minors or individuals of full age-exhibit more pronounced blood pressure reduction when consuming a low-sodium diet. Furthermore, findings from the last two decades give insight into the concept of extrarenal sodium storage; however, the long-term consequences of this phenomenon are lesser known. Evidence of the relationship between sodium and autoimmune diseases are cited in the review, too. Nevertheless, further clinical trials are needed to clarify their interplay. In conclusion, for salt-sensitive risk groups in the population, even stricter limits of sodium consumption should be set than for young, healthy individuals. Therefore, the question raised in the title should be rephrased as follows: "how much salt is harmful" and "for whom is elevated salt intake harmful?"

Association between Dietary Factors and Constipation in Adults Living in Luxembourg and Taking Part in the ORISCAV-LUX 2 Survey

“…Sodium was the only micronutrient that was connected with altered, i.e., higher, constipation score (multivariable linear regression model, Table 7 ). Large amounts of salt can decrease the amount of water in the stool due to its osmotic activity being taken up [ 70 ], making it more difficult to move along the digestive tract and causing difficulties in bowel movements. In addition, food items rich in sodium comprise especially processed foods, ready-made meals, and meat products [ 71 ], which are low in fiber and water.…”

Iodized table salt consumption among patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

“…The addition of iodine, known as iodization, to salt (usually as potassium iodate) since 1924 has solved the problem of iodine deficiency in many countries around the globe [1]. However, in modern industrial societies, daily average salt intake has significantly increased [2], and, due to its sodium content, excessive chronic intake of salt has been linked to negative effects on blood pressure, vascular function, and the immune system [2]. As a result, the recommended maximum salt intake for normal, healthy adults has been set at 5.75 g daily, equal to 2.3 g of sodium [3].…”

Hypertension, Anxiety and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Cardiovascular Disease and COVID-19: Mediation by Dietary Salt

“…Of relevance, sodium toxicity, the toxic effects from acute sodium chloride poisoning [ 57 ] or more commonly from chronic dietary salt overload [ 58 ], is associated with the nutritional epidemiology and nutritional immunology of COVID-19 [ 59 ]. Summarizing briefly, hyponatremia is associated with COVID-19, but this may be due to hypervolemia from excessive salt and fluid intake.…”