Your body needs a certain amount of sodium --- or salt --- to function properly. Salt is present naturally in many foodstuffs and also is typically added as a table seasoning to certain meals. Salt tablets are an alternative to dietary or table salt and are often used by athletes who wish to aid muscle function and hydration during sporting events.
Function
The main component of salt tablets is sodium, which functions to regulate your body's blood volume and blood pressure. According to MedLine Plus, increased sodium intake typically increases blood pressure. Additionally, sodium plays an important role in the healthy functioning of your nerves and muscle tissues.
Types
The most common way for people living in the United States to increase sodium intake is to eat salty foods or to add table salt to food at the table. However, salt supplements may also be taken in tablet form --- tablets may be a convenient way to ingest sodium without eating food. This may be useful for athletes, for example, who wish to increase salt intake before or during a race without having to eat a meal.
Expert Insight
A study reported in the September 2002 issue of the "Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine" found that athletes who took salt tablets prior to ultradistance endurance sports lost less weight during the race than those athletes who did not take salt tablets. It could be speculated that sodium supplementation decreased the level of dehydration, or net fluid loss, of athletes during the race. However, the study did not find evidence to support this hypothesis. The study was carried out at the Ironman triathlon in South Africa --- this endurance race involves long-distance swimming, cycling and running in succession.
Considerations
According to a report by Medical News Today, taking salt tablets can alleviate symptoms associated with hypotension --- also known as low blood pressure. Low blood pressure during exercise can cause weakness, dizziness and fainting, among other symptoms. Salt tablets to raise blood pressure are most effective when combined with increased fluid intake.
Warning
Most Americans eat more salt than is considered healthy, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you suffer from kidney disease, heart failure or certain other medical conditions, you are likely to be advised to reduce your sodium intake. Even for healthy people, it is believed that a reduction in sodium consumption could benefit overall health.
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