Sip or Skip? The Truth Behind TikTok’s Saltwater Trend
The greatest irony of being lost at sea or shipwrecked is there’s water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. We know drinking seawater is harmful, and the dehydration its salt causes makes consuming it worse than drinking nothing at all. So, TikTokers have raised eyebrows with a 2023 trend of drinking saltwater to boost their hydration. Aren’t they ignoring a simple rule? We were taught not to drink seawater during our beach trips as children, and those who disobeyed usually suffered a nasty bout of nausea. While the human body needs sodium, the kidneys can only process the mineral slowly. Since seawater is exceptionally salty, consuming it causes people to urinate more than they drink. They will become thirsty and increasingly dehydrated without adding potable water back into the mix. The saltwater touted by online influencers is different; people on TikTok mostly add a pinch of table salt to their water before drinking it. The good news is that following this practice will result in a much lower sodium intake than consuming seawater. It’s undoubtedly less dangerous than filling up your water bottle in the ocean, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the practice is safe or effective. According to influencers touting the practice, drinking homemade saltwater will improve rather than upset your
hydration levels. Table salt is primarily made of sodium and chloride, electrolytes that help deliver water to our bodies’ cells more efficiently. That’s why sports drinks that contain electrolytes are a better way to resolve mild dehydration than water alone. However, dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth recently wrote in “Today” that very few people need the levels of electrolyte replenishment that saltwater offers. While we can lose significant sodium during intense exercise with excessive sweating, few people work out to those extremes. She argues that the dangers outweigh the benefits for anyone not a professional athlete or training in extreme heat. Another popular claim holds that drinking saltwater can help remove toxins from our bodies. However, experts note our kidneys and livers already do an excellent job. Further, there is no scientific evidence behind claims that saltwater can remove buildup or parasites from our digestive tract. Meanwhile, the theory that saltwater can “flush” your system is technically true, but not for the right reasons. Saltwater can cause stomach contractions and act as a laxative. If your doctor recommends saltwater as a natural treatment for constipation, follow their instructions carefully. Otherwise, experts say it’s best to stick to more traditional remedies. However, not all is lost if you have hopes for the saltwater craze. There may be one legitimate health use for the product — though, crucially, it does not involve drinking anything. Some people notice smoother, less oily skin after swimming in the ocean. Many people with oily or acne-prone skin benefit from the drying effects of applying it to their skin, and there’s even evidence it could provide relief for people with eczema or psoriasis. Notably, saltwater should not be considered a stand-alone cure for acne, psoriasis, or eczema, and anyone seeing a dermatologist should check with their doctor before incorporating new products into their skin care routine. But if you’re dying to get in on the latest fad, applying saltwater to your skin is the best way to do so without compromising your health.
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