Salt

[persimmon]

We are often told to avoid eating too much salt , but how much is too much ? Here , I probably drink 2-3 times the amount of water that I do when back in the UK - does that mean I need 2-3 X the amount of salt ?

A few years back I spent one very hot afternoon by the river in Kanchanaburi . I must have drunk 2 or 3 bottles of water , and remember feeling slightly odd ( more than usual ????) which I put down to too little salt ( and too much water ) .

So , salt , is it something you worry about ?

[Jai Dee]

Lowering excess sodium from your diet can reduce blood pressure, which can reduce your risk of hypertension and, consequently, as the American Heart Association points out, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and more.

 

A salt substitute, also known as low-sodium salt, is a low-sodium alternative to edible salt (table salt) marketed to circumvent the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease associated with a high intake of sodium chloride while maintaining a similar taste.

 

I use this product which can be found in most supermarkets including Makro:

 

[Puccini]

33 minutes ago, persimmon said:

...Here , I probably drink 2-3 times the amount of water that I do when back in the UK - does that mean I need 2-3 X the amount of salt ?...

No.

 

The recommended daily consumption of added salt is not related to the volume of water being consumed.

[Sheryl]

Avoiding processed foods -- which one should do anyway, for a lot of reasons (unhealthy fats, added sugar, no fiber etc etc) will suffice for most peiopkle in avoiding excess sodium.

 

Peopel with certain medical conditions may eed to avoid or minimize adding salt to their food as well.

 

OP: It is true that in the tropics, due to increased sweating, electrolytes (sodium, potassium( can get depleted. A good rule of thumb (assuming no special medical conditions) is that if the heat is such that you need to drink  more than usual amount of fluid you should make at least some of that fluid a balanced electrolyte drink. This could be one of those electrolyte packets sold in 7-11s added to a bottle of water, or green coconut juice, or blended lemon or orange juice from vendors (the Thais d a dash of salt when they make it, the fruit already has potassium, so it makes a good electrolyte replacement drink). 

[scubascuba3]

Lot's of YouTube videos about consuming more salt, especially required in Thailand if sweating. I notice it if i have only 1 electrolyte vs 2. I add salt to food also, veg, tomatoes, chips

[Sheryl]

Just now, Sheryl said:

Avoiding processed foods -- which one should do anyway, for a lot of reasons (unhealthy fats, added sugar, no fiber etc etc) will suffice for most peiopkle in avoiding excess sodium assuming they are moderate in tha mount of tabel salt they use.

 

People with certain medical conditions may need to avoid or minimize adding salt to their food as well.

 

OP: It is true that in the tropics, due to increased sweating, electrolytes (sodium, potassium( can get depleted. A good rule of thumb (assuming no special medical conditions) is that if the heat is such that you need to drink  more than usual amount of fluid you should make at least some of that fluid a balanced electrolyte drink. This could be one of those electrolyte packets sold in 7-11s added to a bottle of water, or green coconut juice, or blended lemon or orange juice from vendors (the Thais d a dash of salt when they make it, the fruit already has potassium, so it makes a good electrolyte replacement drink).