February 7, 2024, 3:32 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The packaging of the green tortilla chip is shaped like a coffin. In the center is a vomiting smiley face, which might give consumers a hint of what’s to come. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, the “Salt Chip” challenge is going viral. FITBOOK nutrition expert Sophie Brünke explains the dangerous health effects of this trendy snack.
The “Hot Chip” challenge has a successor that isn’t about spiciness. In the “Salt Chip” challenge, a single chip with an extremely salty coating is eaten–which can be dangerous to health. The manufacturers deliberately provoke on their website with the question “Do you dare?” and emphasize that you would feel the strength of the salt throughout your body. But this can have serious consequences: Adults may experience discomforts like nausea and headaches, but for children, it can be life-threatening, according to the Consumer Center of Hesse to the dpa.
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Overview
The Dare–Expensive and Dangerous
The hashtag #saltchipchallenge is trending on social media. On TikTok, creators are seen grimacing in disgust while eating the chip and spitting out the unappetizing green mush. And all this just to test the supposedly saltiest chip in the world on camera. One chip consists of 40 percent pure salt–equivalent to almost half a teaspoon, or about two grams. This amount already covers a third of the daily requirement of six grams for adults. It may not sound like much, but it can lead to reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
For this risky dare, you have to dig deep into your pockets: A package with a single chip and a protective glove costs between 12.99 and 17.99 euros.
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What Happens When You Eat Too Much Salt?
Sodium intake is elevated in Germany. About 70 percent of women and 80 percent of men consume more salt than the recommended six grams daily by the German Nutrition Society. Nearly a quarter of men and 15 percent of women eat more than 15 grams of table salt per day.1
The health result? Increased salt consumption indirectly raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases because it can increase blood pressure. Even suboptimal blood pressure levels are enough to increase risk. This means that while hypertension (from 140/90 millimeters of mercury) is not yet present, systolic values are in the range of 120 to 139 millimeters of mercury and/or diastolic values are in the range of 90 to 99 millimeters of mercury. Even in children, elevated blood pressure is increasingly being detected.
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Lack of Warnings Despite Life-Threatening Risks for Children
Not all packages have a corresponding warning label, reports the Consumer Center of Hesse. They recommend that those under 16 should not consume the salt chip under any circumstances. Additionally, young children are particularly at risk: For a two- to three-year-old child, just three of the green tortillas are enough to be life-threatening. In the body, the salt draws water from the cells to balance the increased salt concentration. In these significant amounts, the resulting water deficiency in young children can lead to death.
Adults who wish to participate in the “Salt Chip” challenge despite the warnings should also have water ready to quench the sudden thirst.
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Even Adults Should Avoid the “Salt Bomb”
If consumption is limited to a single occasion, the dare reportedly causes no physical harm to adults. However, the Consumer Center generally recommends not exceeding the daily salt intake of six grams to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular diseases.
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Nutrition Expert Warns Against the “Salt Chip” Challenge
*With material from dpa