The battle rages on between the two salt camps: 1) conventional wisdom of reducing salt in the diet to reduce hypertension; and 2) reducing salt doesn’t help- it’s the kind of salt you are eating that matters.

New studies may shed some light on that fight.

So who is right?

A trio of studies recently published in the medical journal Circulation recently attempted to cement the ‘law’ of biology that too much sodium in the form of salt causes high blood pressure, and that by dramatically limiting intake could save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

And yes, they succeeded in a way. But the issue is much more complicated than the researchers would like you to believe.

There is no doubt that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the leading cause world wide of preventable deaths, but is it really salt’s fault?

[adrotate group=”5″]Other studies have shown an inverse relationship between low sodium diets and increased risk of death. These studies conflict with the Western theories that salt is bad.

What both camps actually do agree on, though, is that packaged, processed food is the real culprit.

In the packaging process, many nutrients needed for optimum health are destroyed. As well, excess amounts of processed salt are added for flavor and to extend shelf life.

People who eliminate processed foods tend to fare better than people who don’t. This could explain why people who are on whole food diets that still abundantly season their foods at mealtime with sea salt are actually healthier than those who completely eliminate salt altogether.

One of the theories that is still being studied is that people who use sea salt, which is rich in many minerals, is more flavorful so less is needed to attain great taste. This seems to ring true no matter where the salt is harvested.

Many sea salts also naturally contain iodine, which is essential for good health and to prevent goiter. For it to occur naturally is generally accepted as better than to add it during the refinement process later.

Other studies recently emerging have shown that the inability to process sodium due to stress is what makes salt the bad guy. If you can’t process it, it builds up in the system.

Naturally, reducing salt in that way would reduce sodium. But wouldn’t eliminating stress be better? Then you can still reap the benefits of all the healthful minerals found in sea salts.

Like your salt or not, there is an even more powerful way to lower blood pressure.

Discover how 3 easy exercises drop blood pressure below 120/80 as soon as today…

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