Salt trick for men: does it work for ED?

The salt trick for men is a viral trend claiming that consuming or applying salt to the body can cure erectile dysfunction (ED). However, there’s no scientific evidence that this home remedy for ED actually works — and, in fact, it might actually backfire.

Keep reading to learn what the science says, and scroll down for more legit ED treatments.

The salt trick for men refers to either adding salt to a drink or applying salt to the body to reverse the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It typically involves table salt or a less common variety called blue salt. 

Of note, the term “salt” can be used in several different ways. We often think of salt as typical table salt (sodium chloride). However, many preparations advertised as the “salt trick for men” have low levels of sodium chloride and higher levels of potassium chloride.

People who are dehydrated or take certain medications (typically diuretics or water pills) can become markedly potassium-depleted. This can make them weak or tired, give them muscle cramps, or even affect heart rhythms.  

For these people, potassium supplements may be critical to restore nutrient levels and could even help erectile function. So, potassium “salt” supplementation has a potential medical role in certain instances.  

For example, rehydrating solutions such as Gatorade contain much higher levels of potassium than sodium to keep such salts in balance in your body. For the average man, however, it is unlikely that potassium supplements are needed or helpful for erectile function.

The top search results for “blue salt trick” and “salt trick for men” on Google will often lead you to a series of similar videos of people excitedly sharing the supposed effectiveness of the salt trick. Many are even reciting the same script and sharing identical personal anecdotes. 

However, the exact recipe and instructions for the supposed ED solution are never shared in these videos, making the official “recipe” for the salt trick a mystery. But the speaker is  often positioned next to a video of someone adding table salt to a bottle of cola or mixing salt with simple ingredients like water and lemon slices.

So, does the salt trick for men actually work? The short answer is no, especially since the salt trick’s specifications are largely hidden away. But even more notably, there are no peer-reviewed studies that have been able to verify the trick’s effectiveness.

“There’s currently no scientific evidence to suggest that consuming salt — or applying it to the body — improves erectile function,” explains Justin Houman, MD, a urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. “While blood flow is crucial for erections, excess salt intake is more commonly associated with worsening vascular health, not improving it.”

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No, the salt trick for men does not help erectile dysfunction. 

One of the first red flags about the salt trick as an ED cure is the inclusion of salt. High-sodium diets have often been linked to high blood pressure (hypertension), which is a known risk factor for ED. So, increasing salt intake can be counterintuitive for improving the condition, especially if you already have high blood pressure.

“Sodium plays a role in maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure,” Dr. Houman says. “But excessive intake can lead to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness — all of which negatively impact erectile function over time.”

Plus, if you’re talking about potassium salts, potassium supplementation has limited benefits for the average man. That’s because your cells are naturally filled with potassium, and total body depletion of potassium is rare in otherwise healthy men.

But how much sodium is too much? And how does that translate to a specific amount of salt? 

There isn’t an exact amount that is considered “too much” for everyone. But the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily maximum around 2,000 mg of sodium or 5 grams of salt. This is less than a teaspoon — and far smaller than the scoop of salt that appears in salt trick videos. 

Dr. Houman recommends an ideal daily sodium target of no more than 1,500 mg “for optimal heart and vascular health.”

However, “many people already exceed this amount due to processed foods,” he says. “So increasing salt intake in hopes of improving erections may be counterproductive.”

The TL;DR? Instead of trying unproven remedies, consider ED treatments that have been shown to actually work. These include certain lifestyle changes and, if appropriate, prescription medications that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (FYI, you can find out if ED meds are right for you by getting started on Ro today.) 

No, there are not other (or, frankly, any) sexual benefits of the salt trick. 

However, some recipes for the trick call for blue salt, a rare type of salt commonly extracted from the mountains in Iran. It’s often lower in sodium and higher in potassium than regular table salt. 

One study shows that eating a diet that is higher in potassium may be associated with a lower risk of ED. But more research is needed to see if those results are consistent. This particular study recommends keeping your potassium intake to, at most, 3,800 mg per day. 

Blue salt could be a healthier (albeit significantly more expensive) alternative to table salt. But the amount of potassium in ¼ tsp of blue salt is still less than you would find in a banana, which has 362 mg of potassium.

While blue salt may look different and contain slightly more potassium, it doesn’t offer proven benefits for ED or blood pressure compared to regular table salt. Plus, its intake should be limited.

You would be far better served by reducing your overall sodium intake and simply adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as bananas, almonds, and leafy greens. 

Overall, it is unlikely that there are sexual benefits (or any meaningful benefits) of the salt trick. 

Different websites and videos propose multiple variations of the salt trick for men, including:

• Adding salt to water

• Adding salt to cola

• Applying salt topically

Remember, there is no scientific basis for these tricks.

The salt trick for men is potentially unsafe.

If a salt trick recipe includes an amount of salt over the daily recommended limit, it is likely unsafe for long-term use. It could lead to hypertension and worsening erectile function down the line if taken regularly. “Chronic high salt intake can damage blood vessels and reduce nitric oxide availability, which is essential for proper vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) to achieve and maintain an erection,” Dr. Houman explains. 

Additionally, other undisclosed ingredients that may appear in a salt trick recipe could be unsafe if taken incorrectly or in high doses alongside other medications. For example, some herbs and supplements can raise or lower your blood pressure. If these supplements are taken alongside high amounts of salt and medications that regulate blood pressure, the interactions could be quite harmful.  

Potassium is easily removed from the body for men with normal kidney function. But in certain stages of kidney failure, the potassium can build up, resulting in high potassium levels that can cause abnormal heart rhythms and even cardiac arrest. For men with limited kidney function, taking in excess amounts of potassium can be life-threatening. 

You should always use caution before adding new supplements to your diet, especially if they’ve been advertised as treatments for ED without legitimate studies and research to back up those claims. 

If you have concerns about erectile dysfunction and are looking for remedies or at-home treatments, consult a healthcare provider. An expert is best equipped to discuss your treatment options and any potential negative interactions from new supplements. 

In many cases, drinking enough fluids helps your body naturally balance sodium and potassium levels. If you’re unsure whether your levels are normal, a simple blood test can check your electrolytes.

The idea that one simple ingredient conveniently found in your kitchen could reduce ED symptoms is pretty enticing. But ED is a complicated condition, and finding the right treatment can take time. 

Here are some strategies you can start implementing today that could help improve ED symptoms. 

Talk with your partner

A majority of ED treatments aim to address the physical causes. But what you might not know is that psychological factors, like anxiety, depression, and stress around sexual performance, can also contribute to ED symptoms. 

According to a 2023 review, these anxieties can sometimes lead to lower self-esteem and strained romantic relations. Thankfully, the review also offers some advice to address these challenges and hopefully alleviate symptoms:

• Educate yourself on the causes of ED

• Encourage your partner to learn about ED

• Emphasize the importance of showing support and understanding   

Follow a consistent exercise routine

Maintaining a regular workout routine can have positive effects on not just your overall health, but your erectile function, too. 

A 2023 review and meta-analysis showed that participants who saw erectile improvement had spent 30–60 minutes on aerobic exercises 3–5 times per week. Similarly, a 2018 study suggests that aerobic exercise — defined in this study as 40 minutes of aerobic exercise four times a week for six months — can be helpful for people whose ED stems from obesity, lack of physical activity, and hypertension. 

Consider prescription treatments  

Viagra has continued to be a proven and effective treatment for ED ever since it was approved by the FDA for ED in 1998. If you are experiencing ED symptoms, Viagra — or Cialis, a similarly safe and effective ED drug — are likely worthwhile alternatives over untested and potentially unsafe at-home treatments like the salt trick for men. 

If price is a concern, generic versions of these medications are available. Sildenafil (generic Viagra) and tadalafil (generic Cialis) contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name alternatives and are priced at just a few dollars per pill. 

Other options include Ro Sparks, a fast-acting, dissolvable medication that combines sildenafil and tadalafil, or Daily Rise Gummies, which is daily tadalafil in gummy form. While these last two options are not specifically FDA-approved, their active ingredients have been individually FDA-approved for ED.

All of these medications require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider doesn’t think these drugs are safe for you to try, don’t worry. There are plenty of other options to treat ED, including injectable medications. Be wary of any over-the-counter supplements claiming to be Viagra or Cialis (or their active ingredients).

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Erectile dysfunction has various complex causes, and there is no DIY silver bullet to treat it. Without a clear recipe that can be studied, the only “evidence” of the salt trick for men’s effectiveness is left in anonymous anecdotes in the comments sections across the internet. To recap:

• There’s no evidence that any supposed salt trick for men works for improving symptoms of ED. 

• A high sodium diet can lead to higher blood pressure and hypertension, so any increases should be carefully considered or discussed with your healthcare provider.

• Research has shown that regular exercise and a low-sodium diet can help lower blood pressure and lessen ED symptoms, suggesting that the more effective “trick” over time is to use less salt rather than add more.

• Openly discussing your ED symptoms with your sexual partner may seem uncomfortable at first, but it may prove to be a better use of your time than researching unproven quick tricks and miracle cures.

• Medications that are usually safe and effective  like Viagra or Cialis are far better options for treating ED. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of ED, don’t rely on unproven internet techniques. Speak with a healthcare provider to find safe and effective solutions.