Do vegans, need to add some salt to their diets?

Question

Like if you eat no processed foods.

Answer 1

Generally, everyone eats salt of some form or another. However, most foods have salt in them naturally, be it minute amounts. You don't really need to add it to your foods if you don't wish to. Unless of course you are iodine deficient as the first answerer wrote. He is also correct in the ideas about tonicity and body water, but you also have to factor in the salt is one of the most important electrolytes in your body as your body uses the ions to make your cells function. Your neurons also use Na+ as a mechanism in the action potential.

  The only potential I see in really not getting enough salt is being concerned if you sweat a lot as sweating causes loss of salt from the body. I would be much more concerned with Potassium and calcium as far as getting what you need. Potassium for the short run and calcium in the long run as your body can compensate for calcium deficiency pretty well.

I think with salt the only real concern for it is eating way too much. But as far as deficiency goes, you will pretty much have to make a conscious effort to have that happen. Your body will have you craving salty foods way before you get to danger levels. However, don't get me wrong as to the importance of sodium, a person with a true deficiency in sodium is flirting with death.

Answer 2

Hmmm, table salt usually has trace amounts of iodine (I think that's it) in it because we only need trace amounts of that particular chemical in our body. Even though you don't eat processed foods you probably still season whatever you do eat with salt or with a sauce or dip containing salt. I don't think anyone has an entirely salt-free diet, but I'm pretty sure you need some salt in your diet to regulate blood pressure and osmosis in your body.

Answer 3

I eat a lot less processed foods than I ever have, but I do cook with some salt just for it's flavor enhancing properties.  There are reasons (outlined above) why it's good to have some in your diet.