Is Salt Healthy or Unhealthy? Sea Salts Provide Hope
Nov 2nd, 2009 by Enrico
The salt that most of us consume is not as natural as we might think. In fact, table salt is the product of rigorous refining processes that include extreme heat exposure and chemical additives that breaks down, bleaches, and iodizes its molecular structure. The end result of this process is Iodized NaCl – refined of all other elements.
However, these elements that were removed are essential vitamins and minerals. Some 80 different elements are removed such as Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc. It’s for this reason that we need to make the switch to salt the way nature intended it: Sea Salt.
How can I benefit from Sea Salt?
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- This is arguably salt’s main function. The human body is made up of 65-70% water. Salt will act as a balance in our bodies to guide our water content between cells and body fluids. This function is the foundation to many other benefits of salt.
- Bones take up 27% of our bodies’ salt and 22% of our bodies’ water. Osteoporosis is largely caused by a lack of salt and water. The problem arises when the body needs more salt and takes it from our bones.
1. Salt regulates the body’s water content
2. Salt stabilizes irregular heartbeats.
3. Salt is needed for making bones firm.
4. Salt is needed for cells to produce energy. This is the place where electrolytes really shine.
5. Salt aids in the contraction of muscle tissue and prevents muscle cramps
6. Salt aids in the nervous system’s ability to communicate
7. Salt helps to absorb food particles in the intestinal tract
8. Salt clears the lungs of mucus plugs and phlegm that could cause asthma
9. Salt is a natural antihistamine
10. Salt aids in removing excess acidity from cells
11. Salt can help you get regular sleep
12. Salt is necessary for maintaining libido
How can I tell if my Sea Salt is authentic?
A good way to tell if your salt is genuine is to just look at the color and the texture. Unrefined, natural salt will be slightly darker and may show a shade of color. These colors are often the trace vitamins and minerals found in salt. Also, natural salt will be of a coarser texture. Salt Works offers a great visual comparison of the world’s unique salts.
How much salt should I have?
So now you understand how important salt is to your diet, but how much salt is recommended?
This is very difficult to answer as there are many different recommendations given from many different sources. The average intake should be kept between 4,000-6,000mg a day which is about 2.5 teaspoons. If you are older or African-American, or if you have hypertension or diabetes, you may want to go with the low-sodium route at 1,500-2,400mg a day. Nevertheless, no one knows you better than your doctor, so the best recommendation will come from him or her.
[…] teaspoon of Sea Salt This one is a bit tricky because the salt must contain Potassium. This mineral is another […]