What does my disturbingly high salt intake do to me?

Question

I'm aware that consuming a lot of salt usually raises one's blood pressure. However, my blood pressure is very low, almost unhealthily so, and it has been this way all my life with no explanation. I've also always put what my brother would jokingly call "ten times the lethal dose" of salt on everything I eat that's not sweet. I even salt my salt and vinegar chips because I don't think they come salty enough! Unlike others who have asked this question I DO put so much salt on my food because I love the taste, and I almost never eat things unless they are salted, because I find that they just taste gross.

I've read somewhere that the sodium intake in the body should correlate to the H2O intake. However that's definitely not the case. All the salt I consume does not make me thirsty, and with breakfast I will have an extremely salty sausage wrap with tea, and at lunch I usually don't even have a drink, or I have lemonade! The only time I drink water all day long is one glass at dinner. Shouldn't I be craving more water if I'm having so much salt? I also hear that salt makes you retain water, maybe I just retain so much water that I'm not thirsty?

Sorry the question is so long winded! Basically I'm wonder why the h**l salt [apparently] fails to affect me, or if there are things other than elevated blood pressure that it causes. Thanks!

Answer 1

Low blood pressure usually requires 5000 mg of salt intake per day (this is general and not for everyone with low bp). It equals about 2 teaspoons. It also requires water intake. 8 glasses a day at least... if not 10.

You might not crave water, but your body very much needs it. Have a glass with every meal and in between. And carry a water bottle with you.

Also, its best for you to see your doctor if you have lower bp. There are all sorts of causes for it, including dehydration. Don't ignore it.

Answer 2

Not all people are salt sensitive. They are not affected by the ill affects of salt, such as high blood pressure. You may be on to something about not needing water because of your consumption of salt. When I was in the Navy during hot weather we were given salt tablets which discouraged elimination of urine or water.