OCT 14, 2018 12:04 AM PDT

Why Don't Salt Substitutes Exist?

WRITTEN BY: Nouran Amin

The basic table salt is composed of sodium chloride which dissociate into two separate ions: sodium serving as the cation (a positively charged ion) and chloride serving the anion (a negatively charged ion). These ions, when they dissociate, favor our taste receptors greatly by serving the perfect combination. However, because salt can be a health hazard—chemists, for many decades, have been at work seeking ways to produce a good salt substitute and the results always failed. For example, scientists have sought to use potassium chloride as a substitute but the combination is known to cause complications with other drugs as well as being harmful for individuals with kidney disease.

About the Author
Doctorate (PhD)
Nouran is a scientist, educator, and life-long learner with a passion for making science more communicable. When not busy in the lab isolating blood macrophages, she enjoys writing on various STEM topics.
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