How much of the human body is salt? © Getty Images

Are there any artificial salt substitutes?

Spare a moment when dousing your chips in salt and vinegar, although too much salt can be bad for you, alternatives also have their disadvantages.

Dr Emma Davies

Asked by: Edward Seymour, Hove

Table salt tends to be sodium chloride (NaCl) but salt substitutes contain potassium chloride (KCl), which has a similar taste. These are billed as lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease associated with high sodium consumption.

But potassium chloride is not without its downsides. It can interact with some prescription drugs and can be dangerous if you have kidney problems.

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Dr Emma Davies

Dr Emma Davies is a science writer and editor with a PhD in food chemistry from the University of Leeds. She writes about all aspects of chemistry, from food and the environment to toxicology and regulatory science.
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