The medical establishment found (IIRC) 1 in 10,000 people have a hypersensitivity to salt and respond with higher blood pressures.
They used this to demonize salt for the other 9999 of us. In particular, I remember when I worked in a Health Food store in 1978, I wsa told to push the harmfulness of salt as a way to promote vegetarianism. Salty meat was bad, sugary roots and fruits were good. Salt was for evil animal killers, sugar was sweet.
Fortunately, Health Food stores have changed somewhat in the last 10 years or so.
I think "somewhat" is a good way to describe how much they've changed :-)
I was completely surprised the first time I walked into a health food store and they were selling meat!
Yes, that is a good improvement. I have noticed in Wellington, where there are several branches owned by the same local couple that the quantity and range available still varies depending on the manager. And they are still stocking vegan pet food at the same time! So there is a certain amount of pragmatism and supplying what the customers are asking for.