Health Experts Warn Against Adding Salt to Coffee: A Trend with Potential Risks
December 16, 2025175 VuesTemps de lecture: 2 minutes
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Health specialists are raising concerns over the increasing trend of adding salt to coffee, warning that this practice, touted as a healthier alternative to sugar, may pose health risks and lacks reliable scientific evidence.
Claims of Sugar Reduction
Recent trends suggest that adding salt makes coffee taste sweeter and reduces its bitterness, which proponents claim helps lower sugar intake. However, experts emphasize that this effect is purely sensory and does not actually make the coffee sweeter.
A Scientific Explanation of Taste
Dr. Eleanor Bryant, a psychologist at the University of Bradford, explained that salt enhances flavors in general, particularly by diminishing the bitterness of caffeine, which can create a temporary sensation of sweetness.
She stated: "Salt does not add actual sweetness, but it can lessen the perception of bitterness, which is why some believe coffee tastes better with added salt."
Risks of Excessive Salt Consumption
Dr. Bryant cautioned that replacing sugar with salt could have adverse effects, especially for individuals who consume multiple cups of coffee daily. She highlighted that excessive salt intake in this manner could be detrimental in the long run.
She added: "Some might think this habit helps reduce sugar, but consuming extra salt could lead to significant health issues."
Taste Preferences Linked to Genetics
She noted that individual preferences for coffee flavor vary based on genetic factors, explaining that genes associated with taste perception play a role in how people accept or reject bitter flavors.
She remarked: "Many learn to appreciate the bitter taste of coffee, while others opt to modify it with additions like salt to make it more palatable."
Clear Health Warning
Health experts caution that excessive salt consumption is linked to increased blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease and kidney problems. They warn that regularly adding salt to several cups of coffee daily could lead to unintentionally exceeding the recommended daily sodium limit, posing a silent threat to public health.
Claims of Sugar Reduction
Recent trends suggest that adding salt makes coffee taste sweeter and reduces its bitterness, which proponents claim helps lower sugar intake. However, experts emphasize that this effect is purely sensory and does not actually make the coffee sweeter.
A Scientific Explanation of Taste
Dr. Eleanor Bryant, a psychologist at the University of Bradford, explained that salt enhances flavors in general, particularly by diminishing the bitterness of caffeine, which can create a temporary sensation of sweetness.
She stated: "Salt does not add actual sweetness, but it can lessen the perception of bitterness, which is why some believe coffee tastes better with added salt."
Risks of Excessive Salt Consumption
Dr. Bryant cautioned that replacing sugar with salt could have adverse effects, especially for individuals who consume multiple cups of coffee daily. She highlighted that excessive salt intake in this manner could be detrimental in the long run.
She added: "Some might think this habit helps reduce sugar, but consuming extra salt could lead to significant health issues."
Taste Preferences Linked to Genetics
She noted that individual preferences for coffee flavor vary based on genetic factors, explaining that genes associated with taste perception play a role in how people accept or reject bitter flavors.
She remarked: "Many learn to appreciate the bitter taste of coffee, while others opt to modify it with additions like salt to make it more palatable."
Clear Health Warning
Health experts caution that excessive salt consumption is linked to increased blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease and kidney problems. They warn that regularly adding salt to several cups of coffee daily could lead to unintentionally exceeding the recommended daily sodium limit, posing a silent threat to public health.
