Salt substitutes

The simple answer to your burning question is no ? salt substitutes won?t make you retain water. As you mentioned, these substitutes contain potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride (more on this in a bit!). That said, before you completely eliminate salt from your diet, keep in mind that the average person does need 1500 milligrams (mg) to 2300 mg of salt per day for optimal kidney and motor function; as such, too much or too little salt may negatively impact your health. Before making a switch, you may wish to speak with a health care provider; salt substitutes aren?t for everyone as they could lead to potassium buildup in people taking certain medications for kidney, heart, or liver conditions. To reduce sodium intake, you might first try making changes to your diet and substitute salt with other flavorful additions such as herbs and spices. Learning more about the differences between salt and salt substitutes, as well as other alternatives to salt can help you make the decision that is best for you.