Salt is a crystalline mineral mainly
made up of sodium chloride. Salt is used as a seasoning in foods and a
preserving agent. Humans also have a innate taste for salt. Our taste buds
identify six major tastes, Salt
is one, other five being astringent, bitter,
pungent, sweet, and sour. When we taste a food containing the
mineral, our taste buds send a signal to the brain labeling the taste “salt”.
Sodium,
Salt and the Body
Sodium
is one of the eight alkaline minerals and one of the 102 minerals in the
elemental chart. Sodium is a mineral that can be found in nature. We need
sodium for proper health, especially to balance our sodium-potassium balance
levels. The number one mineral compromising your blood is sodium, that's why
blood is salty (for those of use who have tasted our own blood at some point in
our lives, probably when we were little children).
Sodium is a great hydrator. Sodium helps us to hold and properly use water,
especially in hot weather. Too little sodium can lead to dehydration. Sodium is
also important for proper muscle function. Too little sodium can also lead to
poor muscle function in addition to an imbalance in blood pH.
Salt, on the other hand, is not
crucial to the body. Salt is largely made up of sodium chloride, so many people
believe they need salt. In reality, they need sodium chloride.
Too much salt throws the body out of
balance, and can contribute to the development of disease. Some health
conditions associated with excess salt include:
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure in
layman’s terms can be defined as excessive pressure exerted by circulating
blood on the arterial walls. Hypertension (blood pressure of 140/90mmHg
or higher) is influenced to a large extent by diet and lifestyle factors.
Nutritional research has positively established the fact that consuming a high
salt diet can lead to hypertension. Excessive consumption of salt leads
to sodium imbalance in the body – which can cause reduced renal function and
water retention. This in turn can cause a marked expansion in plasma volume
(which causes high blood pressure).
Heart Ailments
Salt is
one of the major contributory factors for CVD or Cardiovascular
Diseases. A high sodium diet can cause a sharp rise in blood pressure
levels. In the long run, excessive pressure exerted by the circulating blood on
arterial walls, can damage the arteries – which increases the risk of heart
attacks. High blood pressure (brought on by eating salty food) can also cause
enlarged heart condition. Enlarged heart condition in turn increases the risk
of heart failure and cardiac arrest.
Digestive Diseases
Salt is
vital for the production of stomach acid. However, excessive consumption of
salt can lead to acid reflux. Acid reflux has been linked to bloating and
heartburn. Eating salty food also increases an individual’s risk of suffering
from painful gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. Medical research has indicated
that consuming a high salt diet is a probable cause of stomach cancer.
Kidney Diseases
A high
sodium diet is linked to impaired renal function. A high sodium diet can
increase the amount of protein which is excreted in the urine. This in turn
leads to a marked deterioration in the functioning of the kidneys. A high
sodium diet leads to hypertension. Hypertension puts excessive strain on the
kidneys – which too can lead to kidney diseases. Excessive consumption of
salt can also increase the risk of painful renal stones.
Asthma
Medical
studies have indicated that a high sodium diet can initiate and even aggravate
the symptoms of Asthma. Eating excessive
amounts of salt can potentiate bronchial reactivity. Bronchial reactivity or
hyper responsiveness is a hallmark of asthma. So, to prevent asthma attacks
one should regulate his / her salt consumption.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular
dementia or multi-infarct dementia is caused by impaired blood supply to the
brain. Eating salty food increases the risk of hypertension. Hypertension
causes irreversible damage to the arteries. It also increases the risk of
stroke. When there is a reduction in the supply of oxygen rich blood to the
brain due to a narrowing of the arteries or because of stroke it can lead to
vascular dementia (characterized by problems in memory, reasoning, vision,
cognition).
Edema
Edema can cause an abnormal
buildup of fluid in different parts of the body. This in turn can cause
swelling, general discomfort and pain. High intake of salt in linked to
edema. Abnormal levels of salt in the body, can lead to fluid retention.
Excessive fluid retention can cause tiny blood capillaries to leach fluid into
the space between the cells, which can lead to edema.
Even a
small difference in dietary salt consumption among people who do not have
hypertension "may result in critical differences in individual blood
pressure after several years," conclude the authors of a Japanese study.
Adding salt to food is one way
people are consuming too much of it. Most of the processed or canned foods
today have tons of added salt. This helps preserve the food and enhance the
flavor. Some of us add even more salt to the food! The result is often high
blood pressure.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is the salt nature
naturally produces in water. This is the only salt you should use. Since it is
natural and unrefined, it is not harmful to the body. Remember, all salts
should be consumed in moderation, like everything else.
Sea salt is naturally brown in
colors and somewhat resembles beach sand. It is coarse and comes in a variety
of sizes. Three main sizes of sea salt exist: fine, coarse and granulated.
If you have any question whether a
salt is natural sea salt or not, remember that all sea salt will dissolve in
water.
Natural
Ways to Maintain Sodium Levels
Celery is one of the best natural
ways to consume sodium. The vegetable helps lower blood pressure as well. Juice
or eat the vegetable raw for the maximum health benefits.
Maintaining a balance of sodium and
potassium in the body can be done very easily too. Drink a glass of water with
a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Drink this everyday for
the best benefits.
Reducing
sodium intake can save lives, save money and improve heart health - no matter
what background or nationality a person is.
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