Originally Posted by Verbena

For 47 of my first 50 years I lived within 8 miles of salt water; within several 100 feet for a good part of that time. I used very little salt in my cooking, and actively disliked salty foods as a child. I am convinced that I got the salt I needed from the sea air. After 2 years living away from the sea I started salting my food, wondering as I did what had happened. When I moved back to the coast I ceased adding salt. About 2 years after moving to Oregon, not on the coast, I again started feeling the need for more salt, though still not anywhere near a teaspoon a day. All of these changes happened automatically; I salt "to taste", not because I've been told I should. Living by the ocean apparently gave me what I needed, plus sufficient to hold me over approximately 2 years. As Zei mentioned above, the body isn't stupid; it knows what it needs, and we just need to pay attention.