A number of lifestyle changes can help you lower your blood pressure and reduce risk for heart disease. Because sodium can increase blood pressure for some, doctors often recommend you limit the amount of sodium in your diet to less than 1,500 mg per day if you suffer from high blood pressure. While low-sodium salt substitutes are a seasoning alternative to table salt for some, there are some dangers and unattractive side effects associated with these products.
Main Ingredients
While table salt contains sodium chloride, low-sodium salt substitutes generally contain a mixture of potassium chloride and sodium chloride. To eliminate sodium chloride all together you must search for a product marked "sodium free."
Dangers
If you have a history of kidney problems or take medication for your heart, kidneys or liver, check with your doctor before using a salt substitute. Many people with kidney conditions have trouble processing potassium chloride, and an excess potassium buildup in the body can be deadly.
Aftertaste
Potassium chloride tastes similar to, but not exactly, like salt. According to Ask the Dietician, potassium can leave a bitter aftertaste likened to that of the sugar substitute saccharin.
Salt Substitute Alternatives
Rather than mimicking the taste of sodium with salt substitute, consider instead using herbs and spices to give your food a different kind of taste altogether. Garlic, lemon juice, vinegar and pepper are just some examples of flavorings so powerful they might make you forget about your salt cravings forever.
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