Salt intake/blood pressure

["Beth Glace" <lb@nismat.org>]

Hi Carolyn and Kristene,
You are correct that maintaining hydration is an important part of 
maintaining blood pressure. We have found in ultramarathoners 
that sports drinks will not supply enough salt for hours and hours of
competition.  They are not designed for that; they are formulated to be
absorbed very rapidly and to to so they need a small amount of salt.  
Adding salt to the diet is a very easy thing to do, and can be as simple
as eating pretzels with your sports drink, bringing a sandwich [freeze
your bread, use frozen slices to put some cheese on, ADD SALT or mustard -
keep in cooler in Ziploc bags till you ride] and so forth.  Salt not only
holds water in your system, thus keeping your pressure up, but it also
drives your thirst mechanism and keeps you voluntarily drinking.  Salted
nuts, salted seeds, peanut butter, a salt bagel, salted peanut butter
crackers, and so forth and so on....  all good choices of foods that are
non- perishable and salty.  My opinion is that you really can't eat too
much salt during low intensity exercise such as endurance riding, unless
of course you have a medical condition that limits sodium intake, i.e.
renal disease or hypertension, or if you are prone to vomiting or nausea
during exercise.

Good luck,
Beth Glace, MS
Sports Nutritionist