Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been assumed that increased salt consumption causes high blood pressure and thus increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack. But is salt really to blame?

As with everything, the key is moderation. Anything that is consumed in excess is bad for the body. Similarly, too little is also unhealthy. Salt cannot be condemned as the absolute cause of certain diseases. People with high blood pressure should definitely keep an eye on their salt intake in order to control their blood pressure. However, those who do not suffer from high blood pressure do not need to hold back on salt as long as they stay within the recommended daily amount.

What is certain is that salt has an effect on the body's ability to regulate blood pressure, but not to the extent previously assumed. Normal salt consumption does not cause high blood pressure, but due to the large amount of hidden salt in industrially processed foods, many people consume more than the recommended amount of salt and over-season their meals.

The sodium contained in salt is important for the body. It is therefore wrong for a healthy person to avoid salt completely. In the body, sodium and potassium balance each other out, which means that increased intake of potassium-containing foods such as spinach, broccoli, bananas or beans can regulate blood pressure better.

If you have an existing illness, you should always discuss your salt intake with your doctor. However, healthy people do not need to give up the flavour of salt. You can enjoy salt, but in a sensible way.