Hypertension and green salt: how to reduce sodium without losing flavor

Hypertension is one of the leading cardiovascular risk factors worldwide. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it can develop over many years without causing noticeable symptoms, gradually increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Among the many factors that contribute to the development of hypertension, diet plays a fundamental role. In particular, excessive salt intake is one of the main concerns of health authorities and healthcare professionals.

The good news is that there are now alternatives that allow you to reduce your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. Among the most promising are Salicornia and new reduced-sodium salt blends, also known as "green salts."

Why Is It Important to Reduce Salt Intake?

Table salt is composed primarily of sodium chloride. Although sodium is an essential mineral for the body, consuming excessive amounts can contribute to elevated blood pressure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is roughly equivalent to one teaspoon. However, in many European countries, including Spain, average salt consumption significantly exceeds this recommendation.

When we consume too much sodium, the body retains more water to maintain fluid balance. This increases blood volume and forces the heart to work harder, which can contribute to the development of hypertension.

Reducing salt intake is one of the most effective dietary measures for helping to control blood pressure and support cardiovascular health, always as part of a balanced diet and following the advice of healthcare professionals when a medical condition has been diagnosed.

The Challenge: Reducing Salt Without Losing Flavor

Many people know they should eat less salt but find it difficult to do so. Salty taste is deeply rooted in our eating habits and is present in a wide variety of processed foods.

As a result, reducing salt is often perceived as reducing flavor, making it one of the biggest barriers to maintaining long-term dietary changes.

To address this challenge, several salt substitutes have been developed. Some are based on potassium chloride, which helps reduce sodium content but may leave a slightly metallic or bitter aftertaste that is not appealing to every consumer.

For this reason, there is growing interest in more natural alternatives that reduce sodium while maintaining an enjoyable culinary experience.

Keep reading, because now we'll introduce the real star of the show: Salicornia, a natural, plant-based salt substitute.

What Is Salicornia?

Salicornia is a halophytic plant that grows naturally in salt marshes and coastal saline environments. Thanks to its ability to thrive in salty conditions, it naturally accumulates minerals and characteristic compounds that give it its distinctive salty taste.

Traditionally, Salicornia has been consumed as a vegetable in many coastal regions, where it is valued for its flavor and culinary versatility. In recent years, it has also attracted significant attention as a functional ingredient because of its nutritional profile.

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Salicornia contains dietary fiber and provides minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iodine. In addition, numerous studies have identified antioxidant compounds—particularly polyphenols—that form part of the plant's natural adaptation mechanisms to saline environments.

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Thanks to these characteristics, Salicornia has become an innovative solution for helping reduce the sodium content of the diet.

Salicornia as a Natural Salt Substitute

One of the most interesting applications of Salicornia is its use as a substitute for regular table salt.

When processed into a fine powder, it can be used as a seasoning that delivers a naturally salty taste while containing significantly less sodium than conventional table salt.

Here's the exciting part: it makes it possible to reduce the overall sodium content of many recipes without compromising flavor. In addition, Salicornia contributes fresh vegetal and marine notes that enhance vegetables, fish, meat, rice dishes, salads, soups, stews, and snacks.

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At Marisma Biomed, we've learned that reducing salt intake is not the same for everyone. Some people are simply looking for small changes that help improve their eating habits without changing the flavor of their meals, while others require a much greater reduction in sodium.

That's why we've developed different Salicornia-based solutions that allow consumers to choose the level of sodium reduction that best fits their needs, making the transition toward healthier eating gradual and achievable.

➡️ Learn More About Marisma Biomed

What Is Green Salt?

Green Salt is a natural salt substitute made from dehydrated and finely ground Salicornia. The result is a fine green powder with a naturally salty flavor, which is where its name comes from.

The term "Green Salt" also refers to its entirely plant-based origin. Unlike conventional salt, it is not a mineral extracted from the sea or salt mines but an ingredient obtained from a halophytic plant cultivated in coastal environments.

Thanks to its distinctive taste and lower sodium content compared with regular salt, Green Salt has become an attractive alternative for people looking to reduce sodium intake without giving up flavor.

From Green Salt to the Green & White Salt Range

At Marisma Biomed, our experience working with Salicornia has enabled us to go one step further. By combining Salicornia powder with organic virgin sea salt harvested from the salt marshes of Cádiz, we developed the Green & White Salt range.

This product line was created to offer different flavor profiles, levels of intensity, textures, and degrees of sodium reduction. By varying the proportions of Salicornia and organic virgin sea salt, we have developed a range of products that allows consumers to choose the culinary experience and sodium reduction level that best suits their preferences.

This means consumers can gradually adapt to a healthier diet by choosing products with different sodium levels, without making drastic changes to the way they cook or enjoy their meals.

The Green & White Salt range includes:

In addition to helping reduce sodium intake, the inclusion of Salicornia provides naturally occurring fiber, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. The result is a product range that combines traditional salt-making heritage with food innovation and a new way of enjoying flavor as part of a balanced diet.

Tips for Reducing Sodium in Your Diet

Reducing your daily sodium intake doesn't have to be difficult. Here are a few simple strategies you can incorporate into your routine:

  • Try natural salt alternatives such as Salicornia powder.
  • Choose fresh foods instead of ultra-processed products.
  • Read nutrition labels to identify foods high in salt.
  • Cook more meals at home so you can better control how much sodium you use.

Remember that small changes maintained over time can make a significant difference in improving your diet and supporting cardiovascular health.

A Natural Way to Support Your Heart Health

Hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases remain among the greatest health challenges of our time. While there is no single solution, small dietary changes can make a meaningful difference over the long term.

Reducing salt intake is one of those changes—and at Marisma Biomed, we're committed to helping make it easier.

Thanks to alternatives such as Salicornia Powder (Green Salt) and the new Green & White Salt blends, it is now possible to reduce sodium intake without giving up the pleasure of cooking and enjoying delicious food.

Because taking care of your health doesn't always mean eliminating flavor—it means discovering new ways to enjoy it.

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