Are we numb to salt in foods?

[Ttark]

My dad's been an alcoholic for decades, and when I'm at my parents' house for dinner when he's cooking he makes everything INCREDIBLY salty, sometimes oppressively so. His alcohol use has deadened his sense of taste, so as a result he tends to dump large amounts of salt into whatever he's cooking. He's done it for years. He can't for the life of himself figure out why I need to wash down almost every bite (gee, I wonder why) and as a kid he even used to resort to taking away my glass of water or milk until the meal is finished, a decidedly odd (and borderline abusive) behavior pattern he learned from his mother, a drinker and pack-a-day smoker for nearly 60 years until lung cancer fixed that.

I don't know how that can be good for his blood pressure, in addition to the other damage he's done to his body with his drinking, but there you have it. Usually my heart's racing (and not just from the stress of dealing with my parents!) and I'm drinking water for hours afterward.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Ttark

My dad's been an alcoholic for decades, and when I'm at my parents' house for dinner when he's cooking he makes everything INCREDIBLY salty, sometimes oppressively so. His alcohol use has deadened his sense of taste, so as a result he tends to dump large amounts of salt into whatever he's cooking. He's done it for years. He can't for the life of himself figure out why I need to wash down almost every bite (gee, I wonder why) and as a kid he even used to resort to taking away my glass of water or milk until the meal is finished, a decidedly odd (and borderline abusive) behavior pattern he learned from his mother, a drinker and pack-a-day smoker for nearly 60 years until lung cancer fixed that.

I don't know how that can be good for his blood pressure, in addition to the other damage he's done to his body with his drinking, but there you have it. Usually my heart's racing (and not just from the stress of dealing with my parents!) and I'm drinking water for hours afterward.

Interesting comment. I have never heard any reference to alcohol and consumption of salt. As we age our senses including taste are deadened. So although you are right, your father's drinking is not good for his health or that of his family but I am not sure that is the reason he uses so much salt.

[Debsi]

I have read many, many articles suggesting that the link between salt and high blood pressure is mostly a myth. Here's one of them: https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...e-war-on-salt/

I like salt, although certainly some foods can be and are too salty. I don't know how much of it I eat, but I'm not like the people mentioned who have to put salt on everything so I'm not worried I'm getting too much.

I use kosher salt while I'm cooking because I think it's easier to control the amount than with table salt.