"You Put 'This' in Your Coffee?...Stop Immediately," Experts Issue Chilling Warning

[Financial News] As the so-called 'Salt Coffee' trend—adding salt to coffee—gains popularity, experts have raised health concerns. While many believe that salt neutralizes coffee’s bitterness and enhances its sweetness, experts warn that this practice may lead to excessive sodium intake.
On the 16th (local time), the British media outlet The Sun reported that adding a small amount of salt to coffee is becoming increasingly popular. The belief that salt can reduce or replace sugar consumption, making it a healthier option, is cited as a key reason behind the trend’s spread.
However, experts pointed out that there is little scientific evidence supporting this notion. Dr. Eleanor Bryant, a psychologist at the University of Bradford, explained, "Salt can soften the bitterness of caffeine and improve the flavor of coffee, sometimes making it taste sweeter."
Dr. Bryant noted, "Some Britons believe that salt provides sweetness as a substitute for sugar, making it healthier. However, there is no scientific evidence that adding salt to coffee is beneficial to health," she emphasized. "Increasing sodium intake in this way could actually be harmful."
She especially warned that people who drink several cups of coffee a day are at greater risk of consuming too much sodium.
Dr. Bryant also analyzed that the way people perceive the taste of coffee is related to individual genetics. She said, "Preference for bitterness is influenced by dominant and recessive genes associated with taste perception. People are born with a tendency to either like or dislike bitter flavors."
She added, "While many people become accustomed to bitterness as they grow up, those who add other ingredients to coffee are simply adjusting the taste to suit their preferences."
A representative from Philips, a coffee machine manufacturer, also commented on the trend, stating, "Complex coffee orders are nothing new, but the recent craze shows that coffee enthusiasts are taking modifications to new extremes."
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter