Health and Wellness

July 28, 2026

#145: Is Salt Actually Good for You? Debunking the Biggest Sodium Myths for Women's Health

For decades, we've been told to fear salt. But what if one of the most important nutrients for women's health has been misunderstood? In this solo episode of The Well Nourished Mama Podcast, I dive into the science behind sodium and explain why it's become one of the foundational recommendations I include in nearly every client protocol. From fertility and pregnancy to postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and thyroid health, sodium plays a far greater role than most women realize. You'll also hear me debunk three of the most common myths surrounding salt — including its relationship with heart disease, pregnancy complications like hypertension and preeclampsia, and whether babies should be exposed to sodium. Rather than relying on outdated nutrition advice, this episode explores the importance of mineral balance, electrolyte function, and why context matters when it comes to your health. If you've been avoiding salt because you thought it was unhealthy, this episode may completely change the way you think about one of the body's most essential minerals.
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About this episode

What You'll Learn: 

  • Why sodium is one of the most important minerals for women's health
  • The critical role sodium plays in fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and thyroid function
  • How sodium supports healthy electrolyte balance, cellular function, and energy production
  • Why sodium is essential for stomach acid production and nutrient absorption
  • The connection between sodium and proper thyroid hormone function
  • The truth behind the belief that salt causes heart disease—and what the research actually suggests
  • Why the balance between sodium and potassium matters more than sodium alone
  • Whether restricting salt during pregnancy actually reduces the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia
  • The facts about sodium and babies—and where common recommendations are often misunderstood
  • Practical considerations for evaluating your own sodium intake based on your individual health needs

This episode challenges one of the biggest nutrition myths of the past several decades and offers a fresh, evidence-informed perspective on why sodium deserves a place in the conversation about optimal health. Whether you're trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, living with Hashimoto's, or simply looking to support your body better, you'll walk away with a completely new understanding of this often-misunderstood mineral.

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Shownotes

Save your seat inside The Confident Mama Masterclass → Join the Workshop here

Apply for my coaching program and get access to HTMA testing here → Apply Today

Use my link for JustIngredients to get 10% off (or enter code: thewellnourishedmama) → Shop JustIngredients here

Read Lily Nichol's Blog Post → Don’t Add Salt to Baby Food: The Surprisingly Weak Evidence for Infant Sodium Requirements

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Transcript

Hey I'm Brooke!

I'm a perinatal holistic nutritionist here to help make your motherhood journey joyful and stress-free. Here you'll find recipes to nourish your body throughout all of pregnancy and postpartum, as well as educational articles and resources to empower you as you heal your body and raise a family.

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Trying to ConceivePregnancyLabor + BirthPostpartumLactationMotherhoodMarriageNutritionPersonal Life

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