Dear Heloise: Adding salt to coffee is a well-known way that some people have traditionally reduced its bitterness, but this is a bad idea for several reasons. It may aggravate or cause high blood pressure. It can also cause fluid retention, bloating, weight gain, poor sleep quality, excessive thirst, and so on. This is the take of the Cleveland Clinic and every medical professional I know.

Coffees vary in bitterness. I suggest trying other types and not adding any salt. It is possible that a salt substitute will work without the health impacts, but this should be investigated and verified before using it. — Mark J., via email

Mark, thanks for writing in! I was told by a coffee expert that refrigerating coffee can make your morning brew taste bitter. I suggest keeping a lid on your coffee and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place such as a pantry. — Heloise

ADDING SALT TO

COFFEE CONT’D

Dear Heloise: My recommendation to Karel is to stop drinking coffee that she doesn’t like. I just saw a class offered at a retirement center on how to manage your salt intake. Most health articles I read caution people about the overuse of salt and its effect on blood pressure, the heart, the kidneys, etc.

A 1/2 teaspoon of salt is more than the recommended daily amount, and more than 1 cup of a coffee with this much salt could be hazardous to her health. — William D., in San Antonio