Ep. 21: Drink Less Water And Eat More Salt (And How to Address High Blood Pressure)

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In this episode we discuss:

  • Why drinking lots of water isn’t an effective solution for headaches, better skin, flushing out toxins, boosting our immune system, reducing swelling, or increasing our metabolism
  • Why eating less salt isn’t a good option for lowering blood pressure and what you can do instead to resolve hypertension
  • How drinking too much water and eating too little salt causes stress
  • How eating more salt and less water can reduce swelling and water retention
  • The best indicators for our water and salt needs

3:39 – unfounded claims and recommendations in favor of drinking more water and eating less salt

12:27 – what hydration actually means and why drinking water doesn’t equal more hydration

22:24 – the damaging effects of drinking too much water and eating too little salt

38:13 – listening to our thirst and salt cravings is the best approach

41:21  – the best food and drink options for hydration (not water)

49:44 – factors that affect hydration and their relationship with high blood pressure

58:45 – is high blood pressure the problem or an intelligent response to stress?

Links from this episode

  • Water: More is NOT Better (article)
  • Are You Still Restricting Salt? (article)
  • Too little salt and excess water lead to a loss of potassium and magnesium via aldosterone (1)
  • Fructose increases alcohol clearance by about 100% (1)
  • Water “increases our metabolism” (increases energy expenditure) via stress, and this effect stops when the water is isotonic (same sodium concentration as in our blood) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
  • Eating too little salt increases stress, reduces the metabolism, and can lead to cardiovascular problems in the long-term (1, 2, 3)
  • Aldosterone (released in response to a lack of salt or excess water) directly causes cell swelling (1, 2)
  • Our sense of thirst comes before dehydration occurs (1, 2)
  • Our cravings for salt allow for adequate salt intake (1)
  • Coffee and other caffeinated drinks are hydrating and don't cause dehydration (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • Salt intake under 2,300mg associated with increased cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality (1).
  • Increased salt intake up to 5,700mg sodium is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease mortality in a dose dependent matter and increased salt intake didn't increase the risk of hypertension (1)
  • A lack of potassium and magnesium causes hypertension (1, 2, 3)
  • Protecting Yourself From COVID-19 and How to Support Your Immune System (podcast episode)
3 Comments
  • Paula
    Posted at 16:55h, 19 August Reply

    This was an awesome podcast! It was full of great, useful information! I’ve struggled with high blood pressure off and on during the last 10 years (I’m 66) and potassium always seems to help bring it down. Now, I’m going to really watch water intake and electrolytes.
    Thanks so much!!!

    • Jay Feldman
      Posted at 22:11h, 21 August Reply

      You’re welcome Paula, I’m glad it was so helpful for you!!

  • Arun
    Posted at 06:34h, 27 September Reply

    It was Mercola’s newsletter that introduced me to your channel and it’s an understatement to say I was completely blown away by the content! Many beliefs, dogmas are simply seen to have been constructed on foundations that don’t stand the basic scrutiny of logic or evidence.

    The very first video I watched was the one that affects me the most – blood pressure. Contrary to all standard advice, I was veering around to the realization that it’s the salt concentration or gradient that matters, not the absolute level of salt itself. Mercola’s mailer could not have been more timely – your video said exactly that! That gave me the confidence to let go of the “low salt is best for hypertension” advice and liberally use salt. Voila! My bp dropped 10 points, water retention was no longer a problem & I haven’t felt better in 2 years. Thank you so much !

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