From Salt Maker to Salt Nerd: A Conversation with Dave Burris

In this episode, David Roberts and Dr. John Gildea talk with Henlopan Sea Salt founder, Dave Burris and discuss:

 

• Does salt really cause high blood pressure? — Dr. John Gildea explains salt sensitivity, why only a portion of people are affected, and the surprising concept of “inverse salt sensitivity.”

• Sea salt vs. table salt — Dave Burris shares his experience making sea salt and why natural salts contain trace minerals that refined table salt lacks.

• The Redmond Real Salt controversy — A discussion of heavy metals in salts, what testing shows, and why soil often contains far more.

• The role of magnesium and potassium — How these minerals in sea salt can actually counterbalance sodium’s effects on blood pressure.

• Local and global salt stories — From artisanal salt makers on U.S. coasts to Himalayan and Hawaiian varieties, the episode explores why not all salts are created equal.

Transcript