Who needs to avoid salt for their health?

October 19, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, the average global adult consumes more than double the recommended daily amount of salt. A high-sodium diet can be especially dangerous for specific populations, so it's important to know who needs to avoid salt or drastically reduce their intake to manage serious health conditions.

Quick Summary

Several groups, including individuals with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and older adults, are advised to significantly limit salt intake due to heightened health risks. These people are more sensitive to sodium's effects and can suffer severe complications from high consumption.

Key Points

High Blood Pressure: Individuals with hypertension must limit salt to help lower blood pressure and protect against heart disease and stroke.
Heart Failure: Patients with heart failure need strict sodium restriction to prevent dangerous fluid overload and reduce strain on their heart.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Compromised kidneys struggle to filter excess sodium, so a low-sodium diet is essential to reduce kidney strain and slow disease progression.
Older Adults and Diabetes Patients: These groups are at higher risk for cardiovascular complications and often more sensitive to salt, making sodium reduction a key preventative measure.
Focus on Fresh Foods: Most dietary sodium comes from processed and restaurant foods; prioritizing fresh, whole foods is the most effective way to control intake.
Flavor Alternatives: Use herbs, spices, and citrus instead of table salt to season meals and retrain your palate to enjoy natural flavors.
Read Labels and Cook at Home: Being vigilant about reading nutrition labels and cooking your own food are critical steps toward managing and reducing sodium consumption.

Critical Conditions That Require Salt Restriction

While most people can benefit from reducing their salt intake, certain medical conditions necessitate strict sodium restrictions. High sodium levels cause the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and straining the cardiovascular and renal systems. Limiting salt is crucial for managing these conditions and preventing complications.

Individuals with high blood pressure (Hypertension)

Excess sodium increases blood volume, putting strain on artery walls. Reducing salt intake can lower blood pressure, potentially enhancing medication effectiveness and protecting against heart attacks and strokes. Some individuals, like older adults, are more sensitive to salt's effects on blood pressure.

People with heart failure

High sodium is dangerous for those with heart failure, as the weakened heart struggles to pump blood efficiently. Excess sodium leads to fluid overload and complications like shortness of breath and edema. Limiting salt helps manage fluid, control symptoms, and ensures medications work effectively.

Patients with chronic kidney disease

Compromised kidneys cannot efficiently filter sodium and fluid, leading to buildup that damages kidneys and worsens high blood pressure. A low-sodium diet eases kidney strain, slowing disease progression, and can reduce proteinuria.

Other populations at risk

Beyond the critical conditions above, other groups should limit sodium.

Older Adults

Older adults are more prone to hypertension and often more sensitive to sodium's effects, making salt reduction important for cardiovascular health.

People with diabetes

Blood pressure management is key in diabetes care due to increased risk of heart and kidney complications. Limiting sodium helps control blood pressure and protects against long-term damage.

Those with liver disease or cirrhosis

Liver disease can cause fluid retention. Reducing sodium is crucial for managing fluid balance and preventing complications like ascites.

Comparison of low-sodium vs. high-sodium diets


Feature	Low-Sodium Diet (Under 1,500-2,300 mg/day)	High-Sodium Diet (Over 3,400 mg/day average)
Cardiovascular Impact	Lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of heart attack and stroke.	Increases blood pressure, higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
Kidney Health	Reduces strain on kidneys, especially beneficial for those with CKD.	Can damage kidneys over time, contributing to or worsening kidney disease.
Fluid Balance	Prevents fluid retention, reducing bloating and edema.	Causes water retention, leading to bloating and swelling.
Bone Health	Can help preserve bone density over time by reducing urinary calcium excretion.	Increases urinary calcium excretion, potentially weakening bones over time.
Taste Acclimation	Taste buds adapt over 6-8 weeks, and flavors of food become more apparent.	Taste buds become accustomed to high salt levels, making natural flavors seem bland.

Practical steps for a lower-salt lifestyle

Adjusting to a low-salt lifestyle takes time. Focus on making proactive food choices.

Shopping and cooking strategies:

Choose Fresh Foods: Fresh foods are naturally low in sodium. Avoid processed options.
Read Nutrition Labels: Check sodium content on packaged foods and look for "low sodium".
Rinse Canned Items: Rinsing canned goods removes some added sodium.
Cook at Home: Control salt by cooking meals yourself. Use herbs and spices instead of salt.
Limit Restaurant Food: A lot of sodium comes from restaurants. Cook more at home or request no-added-salt at restaurants.

Dining out and flavor alternatives:

Ask for Customization: Request little to no salt and dressings on the side when dining out.
Explore Flavor Enhancers: Use alternatives like garlic, onion powder, pepper, paprika, and fresh herbs.
Use Citrus: Lemon or lime juice adds flavor without sodium.

Conclusion

While sodium is needed in small amounts, most people consume too much. For those with hypertension, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, managing salt intake is essential for preventing severe complications. By understanding risks and making informed choices, at-risk individuals can benefit from a lower-sodium diet. Consult a doctor or dietitian for personalized sodium targets.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most adults, health organizations like the American Heart Association recommend consuming no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg, especially for at-risk individuals.

While sodium is an essential nutrient, it is highly unlikely for healthy individuals in industrialized countries to consume too little. The body needs less than 500 mg per day to function properly, and healthy kidneys are efficient at retaining sodium.

Salt sensitivity is difficult to diagnose without specific medical testing. However, it is more common in individuals who are older, have high blood pressure, or have certain genetic factors.

Your taste buds can adapt to a lower-salt diet over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. After this adjustment period, you will begin to notice and appreciate the natural flavors in food more.

Hidden sodium is common in processed foods like deli meats, canned soups, frozen dinners, and even seemingly non-salty items like breads, cereals, and pastries.

No, both sea salt and table salt contain a similar amount of sodium by weight and have the same effect on blood pressure. The key is to control the amount of salt consumed, regardless of the type.

When eating out, ask for your meal to be prepared without added salt. Request sauces and dressings on the side, and choose dishes that are steamed, grilled, or broiled instead of fried or sauced.

Some salt substitutes contain high levels of potassium and may be unsafe for people with kidney disease or those on certain medications. Always consult a healthcare provider before using a salt substitute.

A high intake of salt can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which can weaken bones over time and increase the risk of conditions like osteoporosis.