RESUMO
Salt (sodium chloride) exists in nature in scattered form and has had social, economic and physiological influence in man's life. At present its consumption is a quotidian fact in the individual, since it exist a universal appetite of this element in the diet. Nevertheless, since relatively a short time ago it was begun to be recognized that salt is an important component for public health since an excessive intake of this element has been related to the development of hypertension. This disease affects a billion people and it is an important cause of morbidity in both industrialized and developing countries. This paper presents a review of the main historical, clinical and therapeutic aspects of salt as well as the quantitative intakes in Mexico and other societies.