exactly! Before all the electromagnetic noise that came with the modern era, we prolly had a much great capacity for nonverbal communication across distances
Idealistically, I can't argue with you on this point.
From a historical perspective, everyone has always been weary of "doctors". Just search the literature on google books prior to 1900's and you will see what I mean.
For example, see attached page (216) from the 1739 book "Philosophical and Theological Works of the Late Truly Learned Man Volume 10"
The problem with NaCl use in modern western culture is that it has been stripped clean of the ~70+ micronutrients present in sea salt and brines that were once used in previous cultures. Detrimental effects of excess NaCl in modern times are compounded by dietary excesses in sodium, calcium, aluminum, fluoride, and bromine, whole being severely deficient in iodine, magnesium, and boron.
The claim by doctors that salt is bad for you is also very old (as depicted in the graphic), but is probably more true today than in the past for reasons outlined above.
The Truth About Salt - NYTimes.com
http:// www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0