Reprinted with permission from the June 2010 issue of the Ester Republic.

Salt is a central feature of the human diet, with a distinct and important place in human history, but a contested reputation in the contemporary world. Today, salt is a common commodity, easily and cheaply attainable, and one of the most important items in the American food system. Its ubiquity is not without its ramifications, however; numerous studies dating back to the early 1900s have linked salt to rising problems of hypertension, and organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Institute of Medicine campaign quite strongly against high-sodium diets. And yet, salt has long played an important role in the foodways of a variety of cultures for thousands of years. Now, food giant ConAgra is pushing back against low sodium campaigns, with a PR campaign of their own. Is salt friend or foe? The answer really is not that simple. (more…)