Salt may be poisoning your microbiome

+ lead poisoning, leprosy and hammerhead shark embryos US Edition - Today's top story: Salty foods are making people sick − in part by poisoning their microbiomes [View in browser]( US Edition | 13 March 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( From padding the salaries of ancient Roman soldiers to preserving foods across civilizations, salt has long played an essential role in maintaining human health and well-being. Its reputation over the past few decades, however, has undergone a 180, with doctors and public health officials raising the alarm that the average American diet is too salty for our own good. The list of negative health effects linked to excess dietary salt is long and growing − high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity and cancer, among others. How exactly excess salt contributes to disease is still under study. But gastroenterologist Chris Damman of the University of Washington points to its ability to [short-circuit the gut microbiome](, killing off healthy microbes and leaving behind ones that may hurt your body when left unchecked. Luckily, there are ways to limit the effects of too much salt in your diet. For the sake of your gut and the microbes that help keep you healthy, Damman suggests, a pinch less might better hit the spot. Also in this week’s science news: - [What happens to solar power during an eclipse]( - [Approved: over-the-counter birth control pill]( - [‘Dark’ fishing vessels and risk for marine species]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Vivian Lam Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor Salt has taken over many diets worldwide – some more than others. 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