The theory is quite simple. Our bodies rely on sodium for a variety of functions; thus, the sodium levels in our blood must be closely maintained. When we eat a lot of salt, we become thirsty so that we are encouraged to drink water in order to dilute our blood just enough to maintain the proper concentration of sodium. This is what doctors have been taught for over 200 years. However, new research published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation is contradicting this. The research presents new studies of Russian cosmonauts who are held in isolation to simulate space travel. When eating more salt, the cosmonauts found they were actually less thirsty and hungrier. Further experiments found that mice actually burned more calories when they consumed more salt. Ultimately, this new research is suggesting that what we know about how the body handles salt may not be true – high levels of sodium may actually even play a role in weight loss. Check out this New York Times article for more on this fascinating new study!