Salt is an essential part of Indian cuisine—without it, food feels tasteless. But sometimes, in the pursuit of flavor, people unknowingly put their health at risk, especially when using raw salt (sprinkled over food after cooking).

According to Ayurveda and health experts, adding raw salt to certain foods can turn them toxic and lead to long-term health problems. Let’s take a look at 5 common foods that can become harmful when salt is added improperly:

🥣 1. Salt in Yogurt – A Beauty Hazard!

It’s common in India to eat curd with salt, especially with rice or as a side dish. But Ayurveda warns that adding salt to milk-based products like yogurt is harmful. It can lead to:

• Hair fall

• Premature greying

• Skin inflammation

• Acne

👉 Instead, use roasted cumin or mint instead of salt in your yogurt.

🍊 2. Salt on Fruits – Nutrients Get Destroyed!

People often sprinkle salt on tangy or sweet fruits to enhance the taste. But doing so kills the fruit’s nutritional value, especially Vitamin C. It also increases sodium levels in the body, leading to:

• Water retention

• High blood pressure

• Strain on kidneys

• Heart disease risk

👉 Fruits are naturally nutritious—eat them without salt!

🥗 3. Salt on Salads – From Healthy to Harmful

Salads are meant to be healthy, but when raw salt is added, they lose their benefits. Excess sodium from raw salt can lead to:

• High BP

• Digestive issues

• Dehydration

• Heart & kidney problems

👉 Use lemon juice, black pepper, or herbs instead of salt.

🍹 4. Salt in Juice – Reduces Nutrition, Increases Risk

Juices are considered a healthy drink, but adding salt ruins their nutritional value. Doctors warn that salt in juices:

• Lowers nutrient content

• Causes dehydration

• Upsets sodium balance

• Affects liver and kidney functions

👉 For a savory taste, add herbs—not salt.

🥛 5. Salt in Buttermilk or Raita – Hidden Danger

Buttermilk, raita, or lassi are common milk-based drinks. Adding raw salt may enhance taste but has adverse effects. Ayurveda considers the salt + milk combo as tamasic (unhealthy), leading to:

• Digestive issues

• Bloating

• Skin allergies

• Headaches

👉 If you must use salt, add it during preparation—not afterward.

⚠️ What Does Research Say?

According to WHO and Indian health authorities, a person should not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day. However, the average Indian consumes 9–10 grams daily, which is considered hazardous to health.

Takeaway: Salt may enhance flavor but using it wrongly—especially raw on certain foods—can silently damage your health. Switch to healthier flavoring options like herbs, spices, or lemon and keep your salt intake in check.