
Eating too much salt of any kind is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or kidney diseases.
Although Himalayan pink salt is often touted as a healthier salt because it is said to contain less sodium per serving than ordinary table salt, no large-scale studies have supported this claim.
What are different types of salt?
Different types of salt have different tastes and textures depending on how they are processed. However, all salts contain 40% sodium, and any difference in sodium content are simply due to the volume and shape of the crystals
- Table or regular salt:
- Sea salt:
- Made by evaporating seawater
- Less processed than table salt
- Contains more trace nutrients such as potassium, iron, and calcium
- Has a larger granule size than table salt
- One teaspoon of sea salt contains 1,872 mg of sodium
- Kosher salt:
- Unrefined, coarse
- Rarely contains additives
- Contains sodium chloride but not iodine, qualifying it as a non-iodized salt
- One teaspoon of kosher salt contains 1,120 mg of sodium
- Himalayan pink salt:
- Coarse, granular, mined salt
- Contains traces of iodine (less than table salt) and other elements
- One teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt contains 1,680 mg of sodium
What is the daily recommended salt intake?
Although salt is an essential nutrient required for many biological processes, excess amounts can lead to high blood pressure, renal dysfunction, stroke, and heart disease. People with these conditions should consume less than 1,500 mg of salt per day.
Regardless of which type of salt you are consuming, moderation is key. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day, which is roughly how much sodium is in one teaspoon of table salt.
How does salt increase blood pressure?
When you eat too much salt or sodium, extra water is retained in the bloodstream to flush out the salt from the body. This makes your kidneys work overtime to release chemicals such as renin and angiotensin, which cause the blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to increase temporarily.
Additionally, the renin-angiotensin spike causes the release of another hormone called aldosterone, which increases blood pressure through water retention. Consistent high intake of salt thus results in a constant increase in blood pressure, eventually leading to hypertension.
Additionally, excess salt consumption causes hardening of the blood vessels, leading to increased resistance in the small arteries. This causes the heart to have to work harder to pump blood, resulting in hypertrophy of the heart muscle. Over time, the heart is unable to pump the blood with increased force, causing gradual weakening of the muscle.

SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowWhat are the nutritional benefits of Himalayan pink salt?
- Nutritional value: According to some claims, Himalayan pink salt contains less sodium per serving than ordinary table salt. Himalayan pink salt also contains a trace amount of minerals that table salt does not have, including:
- Zinc
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Improves respiratory health: It is believed that salt therapy, which involves the inhalation of air infused with salt, is beneficial for respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, more research on this point is needed.
- Prevents dehydration: Salt is necessary to maintain adequate and balanced hydration levels in the body. Getting enough salt, especially before or after vigorous exercise, is important to prevent dehydration caused by lost water and salt, a condition called hyponatremia.
- Promotes skin health: Salt is believed to have several beneficial effects on various skin conditions such as eczema, depending on where the salt is sourced. The National Eczema Association recommends adding a cup of salt to bathwater for relief from eczema flare-ups.
What are the risks of consuming too much salt?
- Kidney disease: Because excess salt can cause high blood pressure, it also can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Scientific guidelines advise moderate salt intake to slow the progression of CKD.
- Heart disease: High blood pressure is also the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Too much salt can therefore lead to heart problems.
- Bone disorders: Consuming too much salt may cause high levels of calcium to leach out of the body during urination. As such, scientists suspect that excess salt could increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders, although more further studies are needed.
- Hypernatremia (excess sodium): Hypernatremia is caused by excess sodium levels in the blood. This is a serious condition that requires medical attention.
Health News
- Chinese Company May Help Ease U.S. Shortage of Cancer Drug
- Opdivo Could Boost Outcomes for People Battling Hodgkin Lymphoma
- More U.S. Kids, Teens Are Getting Weight-Loss Surgeries
- Could a Nitroglycerin Patch Ease Hot Flashes?
- One Form of Menopause Hormone Therapy Might Raise Blood Pressure
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Cleveland Clinic. Sodium & Heart Health. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16881-sodium--heart-health
Link R. Kosher Salt: What It Is, Vs. Other Types of Salt, and More. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/different-types-of-salt#other-salt-types/
FoodData Central. [Historical Record]: 100% Natural Himalayan Pink Salt. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/806645/nutrients
Mayo Clinic Health System. Is sea salt healthier than table salt? https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-sea-salt-healthier-than-table-salt
American Heart Association. Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/shaking-the-salt-habit-to-lower-high-blood-pressure
Top Which Salt Is Good for High Blood Pressure Related Articles
ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin (generic name) converting enzyme inhibitors, is a class of drugs that interact with blood enzymes to enlarge or dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. These drugs are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), treat heart problems, kidney disease in people with diabetes high blood pressure. These drugs also improve the survival rate of people who have survived heart attacks and they prevent early death of people from heart attacks, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Sometimes ACE inhibitors are combined with other drugs for treating a condition.
Examples of ACE inhibitors include benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), and ramipril (Altace). Examples of the most common side effects of this class of drugs are dizziness, headache, cough, rash, chest pain, and rash. There are serious side effects of this drug like kidney failure, severe allergic reactions, and liver dysfunction, or failure. ACE inhibitors all are similar in the way they work; however, they differ in how the body eliminates doses of the drug. Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are used for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, heart attack, hypertension, migraine headaches, social phobias, tremors, and glaucoma. Common side effects of beta blockers are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and weight gain if you are taking medicine for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Examples of generic and brand names available for beta blockers in the U.S. include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor, Lopressor LA, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren).Can Blood Pressure Spike For No Reason?
It is normal for your blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day. Your blood pressure can fluctuate at any time due to various reasons.Can You Take Turmeric with Blood Pressure Medication?
Turmeric may not react well with some medications, including blood pressure medication.Diet and Weight Management: Signs You're Eating Too Much Salt
Learn about the telltale signs of too much salt in your body, and how you can keep your sodium levels in check.Diet and Nutrition: Healthiest Salty Snacks
Chips may be your go-to salty snack, but there are plenty of healthier and just as tasty options.furosemide
Furosemide is a diuretic medicine that doctors prescribe to treat excess accumulation of fluid or swelling of the body (edema) caused by cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, heart failure, and kidney disease. Common side effects of furosemide are low blood pressure, dehydration and electrolyte depletion (for example, sodium, potassium). Do not take if breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if pregnant.High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
HBP Quiz
Take this quiz and test your IQ of high blood pressure (hypertension), the cardiovascular disease that causes most strokes and heart attacks. How are dizziness, snoring, and gout related to HBP? Find the answer and learn how medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments fight this common problem.Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure in 30 Seconds?
Blood pressure refers to the tension — or pressure — your blood places on the walls of your arteries as it passes through your body. Lower your BP in 30 seconds by practicing deep breathing, taking a warm shower, and meditating or reading.Hypertension: Worst Foods for High Blood Pressure
Diagnosed with high blood pressure or trying to avoid it? Stay away from these foods.labetalol
Labetalol is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. The most common side effects of labetalol are fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea, edema (fluid accumulation), and shortness of breath. Other important side effects include sexual dysfunction, abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate, liver failure, and allergic reactions. Consult your doctor before taking if pregnant or breastfeeding.propranolol
Propranolol is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure, angina, certain heart rhythm disorders, migraine headache prevention, and certain types of tremors. Common side effects of propranolol are abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, dreaming, memory loss, fever, impotence, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, cold extremities, sore throat, and shortness of breath or wheezing. Do not take propranolol if pregnant or breastfeeding.Salt & Low Sodium Diet Quiz
Do you love salt? Take the online Salt Quiz to get the facts about dietary salts and sodium in fruits, vegetables, processed foods, snacks and soups!Salt Shockers Slideshow
Salty Foods can be everywhere. So how can you maintain a low-sodium diet and beware of the risks of high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack and stroke? Discover where high-sodium foods hide on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus. Learn to replace high-salt foods with better choices.Thiazides (Diuretics)
Thiazide diuretics are drugs prescribed to treat high blood pressure and reduce edema (fluid accumulation) in the body. Side effects of thiazide diuretics include dizziness and lightheadedness, blurred vision, loss of appetite, itching, stomach upset, headache, and weakness. Diuretic drug names include chlorthalidone (Thalitone), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and methyclothiazide. Thiazide diuretics are similar in effectiveness and usually are not effective in people with severe renal impairment.Vasodilators
Vasodilators are a class of drugs that doctors prescribe for many diseases and conditions. This type of medicine dilates, or opens, blood vessels (arteries and veins) so that the heart can pump fresh oxygen and blood to the body more efficiently. Vasodilators are available within a variety of other drug types that have many brand and generic names. Talk with your doctor about all medications and herbal supplements you use and review side effects before taking this or any medication.What Foods Can I Eat for a Low Sodium Diet?
Sodium, or salt, is an electrolyte your body needs to function properly. Foods you can eat on a low-sodium diet include fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, low-sodium dairy, and low-salt seasonings and sauces.What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
High blood pressure or hypertension is when the blood pressure readings consistently range from 140 or higher for systolic or 90 or higher for diastolic. Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are dangerously high and require immediate medical attention.Why is My Blood Pressure Suddenly High and Low?
Blood pressure can be defined as the force your blood creates when it's flowing through your arteries. Blood pressure may be high or low due to medication side effects, certain medical conditions, or unknown reasons.