Sodium is essential for good health, but which is better table salt vs. sea salt? They both contain 40% sodium by weight.  Since less sea salt can fit in the same volume, people may believe sea salt has less sodium than table salt.

Sea salt comes from the ocean and contains other minerals, including: magnesium, calcium, potassium.  Table salt does not have those added nutrients, but does contain iodine (if fortified).

If you eat too much salt, the extra water stored in your body raises your blood pressure. Therefore, the more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the greater the strain on your heart, arteries, kidneys and brain.

As you get older, this can lead to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and kidney disease. The AHA recommends that people should aim to reduce their salt intake to less than 1,500 mg per day (¾ teaspoon).  The average intake is 3,400 mg per day.

Eating too much of any salt is harmful. 

One type of salt is not healthier than another,  so choose your preferred salt depending on taste and texture.  Which salt do you prefer now that you know the facts?