What is salt without salt?

A little focus on diet salt.

On supermarket shelves, certain salts are offered with “66% less sodium”. Sodium is the molecule which usually makes up all of salt and which, if consumed, carries the risk of hypertension, kidney disease and water retention. By adding too much salt to a dish (a tendency for many of us), we risk these inconveniences. At the top of the list: high blood pressure, a chronic disease which creates risks of cardiovascular accidents, heart attacks and any neurodegenerative disease. In order to reduce these risks of illness which occur in particular with age, an alternative to salt is increasingly circulating on the market: “salt-free salt” or “diet salt”, a salt with a low sodium content, molecule then replaced by potassium.

What composition for “salt without salt”?

Low sodium salt is obtained by chemical preparation. Goodbye salt and fleur de sel naturally harvested in salt marshes, make way for potassium chloride. Mixed with acidifiers and anti-caking agents, required to find the texture of a classic salt, the result is stunning.

Among salt preparations depleted in sodium, some even contain aromatic herbs and spices to give flavor to this “salt”, which will be indicated “suitable for salt-free diets”.

Potassium salt, safe?

If potassium seems to be the solution to regulate excessively high sodium intake, this mineral is not without risk. In 2018, a cardiologist alerted ANSES of a “risk of severe hyperkalemia”.

If potassium chloride was overused as a substitute for sodium chloride. In a published report, according to him, “these salt substitutes currently on sale over the counter in stores, sometimes without mention of precautions for the consumer, should at least be sold in pharmacies with the possibility of advice from the pharmacist, or even be delivered on medical prescription “. In question ? Potassium chloride is said to be directly involved in the body's cardiac functions and insulin secretion. With excessive consumption, hypokalemia would cause “heart rhythm disturbances, cramps or even asthenia (significant fatigue)”.

Salt, with or “without salt”, to consume responsibly

Finally, to reduce your salt intake, there is a solution: regulate the quantities. We assure you, a pinch of salt is enough to enhance the flavors! If you have gotten too used to not enjoying a dish if there are not at least three pinches of this enhancer, rest assured, it is possible to start by replacing this excess with aromatic herbs. In this way, you will gradually get used to the pleasure of a meal spiced up with a simple touch of salt.

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