Pasta, Salt in water

Most recipes contain instructions to add salt to the water before (or sometimes during) boiling pasta. There are a multitude of reasons given including that the salt changes the boiling point of the water (sorry; not enough to matter) to the salt keeping the water from boiling over (not chemically possible).

There is an argument for adding the salt to enhance the flavor of the pasta but you are better off to carefully control your sodium intake and the flavor of your food. The difference in pasta boiled in salted water and unsalted water is minimal and any difference will be masked by a well made and properly seasoned sauce.