For a staple kitchen necessity, salt, along with sugar, often gets a bad rep. You've heard it all before, that salt contributes to heart disease and should be avoided at all costs. But where did that idea come from? And more importantly, is it true?

So, here are the 5 most common misconceptions about salt and sodium, and what it may mean for your overall health:

Myth 1: Your body doesn't need salt every day

According to the American Heart Association, your body needs 0.5 grams or 200mg of salt every day to be healthy.  However, limit your salt intake to 2,300 mg of salt, or about one teaspoon, per day.

Myth 2: Nothing about salt is good for you

Says who? Salt is a major component of your blood. It help carries important nutrients in and out of your cells, normalizes blood pressure, and plays a vital role in nervous-system function. It also helps regulate your body's water intake.

Myth 3: If you don't add salt to your cooking, your diet will be low salt

Nope. Majority of your sodium intake comes from processed foods, not the amount of salt you add at the dinner table. Canned soups, processed meats, pasta and tomato sauces, breads, and almost anything that comes prepared is high in sodium. A fan of processed food? Look for low-sodium sauces and soups instead.

Myth 4: I'm young, so I don't have to worry about my salt intake.

When you consume excessive amounts of salt, your body holds on to extra fluid. This extra water volume adds pressure on organs like your kidneys and heart, as well as arteries. In turn, this increases your risk of hypertension and heart disease when you grow old.

Myth 5: Everyone has the same response to salt

Not really. There are many people who are salt-sensitive or salt-resistant. It is determined by many factors, which include age, body size, genetics, general diet, and even race or ethnicity. Salt sensitivity is when your blood pressure changes significantly based on your salt consumption. Older people, women, South Asians, and African-Americans are good examples of groups of people who have greater salt sensitivity.