If you’re worried about your salt intake and considering banishing the salt shaker from your kitchen, you may want to think again. While excessive amounts of salt have long been associated with heart and cardiovascular diseases, recent research reveals that salt also plays a crucial role in immune system function, helping the body fight off diseases.
Salt, the Protector Against Infections
Impressive research from Germany’s Universitätsklinikum Regensburg and Universität Regensburg, as well as Vanderbilt University in the United States, has demonstrated that the salt consumed in your food aids the immune system in staving off pathogens that cause illnesses. The studies show that salt accumulates in skin cells after consumption, protecting them from infection.
This breakthrough data challenges the previously one-sided view that portrayed salt solely as a harmful dietary factor. According to Jonathan Jantsch, a microbiologist involved in the study, “Our current study suggests that increasing salt accumulation at the site of infections might be an ancient strategy to ward off infections, long before antibiotics were invented.”
Salt Storage: An Evolutionary Advantage?
While eating large amounts of fast food, which contains a high level of salt, can lead to sodium storage in the skin that puts you at a higher risk for developing high blood pressure, especially among seniors, a moderate amount of dietary salt seems beneficial in fighting off microbial infections.
Beyond these recent findings, it is still not entirely clear why the body stores so much salt. Researcher Jens Titze, who conducts studies on sodium at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, notes that “Despite the overwhelming evidence linking dietary salt to disease in humans, the potential evolutionary advantage of storing so much salt in the body has not been clear.”
Weighing Your Options: How Much Salt is the Right Amount?
While these new findings related to salt highlight its positive impact on health, researchers still advocate for caution in determining how much salt to include in your diet. Jantsch argues that due to the numerous clinical studies pointing to the adverse effects of high dietary salt on hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, their data does not yet justify recommendations for increased salt consumption across the general population.
However, in cases where individuals have insufficient endogenous accumulation of salt at infection sites, supplementing with salt might be a therapeutic option. Jantsch acknowledges that this possibility will need to be studied further before it can be more widely applied.
The Bottom Line: No Need to Fear the Salt Shaker
In summary, while the dangers of excessive salt consumption should not be dismissed, current research shows that salt has important health benefits, primarily related to immune system function. Though more studies are needed to refine the understanding of salt’s role in the body and to establish the ideal balance between positive and negative effects, it’s clear that it’s not time to eliminate the salt shaker just yet.
In the meantime, continue to monitor your salt intake, ensuring you consume the appropriate amount for your specific health needs. Don’t be afraid of salt, but rather embrace its potential to support and protect your body’s immune system.
