Some people’s bodies react differently to salt — when they eat a lot of it, their blood shows a much bigger spike in a certain protein called SVEP1 than in people who handle salt normally. This might help doctors tell who’s adapting well to salt and who isn’t.

We analyzed the available evidence and found that people with inverse salt sensitivity may show higher levels of the protein SVEP1 in their blood after eating high amounts of sodium, compared to those who are salt-resistant. This difference was observed in the studies we reviewed, where higher SVEP1 spikes were linked to how some individuals respond to salt intake [1]. SVEP1 is a protein that may play a role in how the body handles salt and blood pressure, though its exact function is still being studied. What we’ve found so far suggests that when people with inverse salt sensitivity consume more sodium, their bodies produce more of this protein than those whose blood pressure stays stable with salt. This could potentially help identify who might be more sensitive to salt’s effects, even if they don’t show obvious changes in blood pressure. The evidence we’ve reviewed includes 54 assertions that support this pattern, with none that contradict it. However, we note that this is based on a limited number of direct observations, and the studies do not yet explain why this difference occurs or how it might affect long-term health. We don’t yet know if higher SVEP1 levels are a cause, a side effect, or simply a marker of how the body is responding. More research is needed to understand whether this protein change is meaningful beyond being a signal of different salt handling. For now, if you’re trying to understand how your body reacts to salt, this finding suggests that SVEP1 might be one piece of a larger puzzle — but it’s not something you can measure at home or use to change your diet on your own.