Salt is a common yet extremely essential ingredient in cooking. Chemically salt is known as Sodium Chloride (NaCl).
Even though the most common use of salt is in cooking, but it is a fact that only 5%-6% of salt is for human consumption. The majority of applications of salt contribute to industries. Moreover, other uses include water conditioning processes, de-icing highways, and agricultural use.
Here is a table for the common names salt is known by.
Language | Name | Written as |
---|---|---|
Bengali | Labaṇa | লবণ |
Gujarati | Mīṭhuṁ | મીઠું |
Hindi | Namak | नमक |
Kannada | Uppu | ಉಪ್ಪು |
Malayalam | upp | ഉപ്പ് |
Marathi | Mīṭha | मीठ |
Tamil | Uppu | உப்பு |
Telugu | Uppu | ఉ ప్పు |
Urdu | namak | نمک |
Punjabi | Lūṇa | ਲੂਣ |
Sanskrit | Lavaṇa | लवण |
English | Salt | |
Arabic | milh | ملح |
There are many types of salt. But five common types we use are mention here.
Nutritional profile per 100 gms
Source: USDA & Google
Salt is about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Minerals like calcium, copper, iron, iodine, potassium, and a bit of zinc are present in common salt. Studies debate that Pink Himalayan Salt is the richest in minerals containing up to 84 minerals.
Many organizations warn us of the dangers of too much consumption of salt. But many risks can occur if the amount of salt is too little in our system. So when we consume salt in the required proportion, we can have many benefits out of it.
The thyroid plays a vital role in metabolism, and for that, it needs mineral iodine. The primary use of iodine is to help the thyroid gland producing thyroid hormones. A deficiency in iodine can prevent the body from producing enough hormones.
Source: ods.od.nih.gov
The body needs to need water. Salt helps the body maintain the proper amount of fluid for the cells and tissues.
Source: realsalt.com
A low amount of sodium in your diet can cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Signs of this include dizziness, nausea, fainting, and blurry vision.
Source: mayoclinic.org
Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs and gastrointestinal system. The body produces thick and sticky mucus, which will clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. People with cystic fibrosis (CF) tend to lose large amounts of sodium and chloride while sweating. So people with this problem may need to use more amount of salt in their diet.
Source: health.qld.gov.au
Sodium helps in electrolyzing and regulating water flow in our system. Waterflow is critical for your nervous system, and salt is one of the best sources to obtain sodium.
Source: www.drstevenlin.com
Excess amounts of salt in the body can cause side effects.
If you eat an excessive amount of salt, the additional water stored in your body raises the blood pressure. Higher blood pressure can cause strain on your heart, arteries, kidneys, and brain. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and kidney disease.
If you are on medication for blood pressure, overeating salt may reduce its effect.
The effect on arteries causes problems with the heart too.
The healthiest form of sea salt is the least refined and with maximum trace minerals. According to studies, Pink Himalayan salt is the healthiest salt available.
Table salt is more refined and eliminated from some trace minerals. Besides, Iodine has added to it afterward. Sea salt is the unrefined and unprocessed version of the table salt.
Pink Himalayan Salt may contain iodine naturally as a mineral. But it still has it in a lesser amount than the table salt.
Salt that we consume contains sodium in high quantities. If it exceeds the amount necessary in our bloodstream, then it may create an imbalance and increase blood pressure.
Sodium is the main ingredient in salt. The extreme loss of sodium can trigger symptoms starting from muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness to shock.
Source: roswellpark.org
The key benefit of Pink Himalayan Salt is to balance the pH.(alkaline/acidity) and helps in muscle cramping. Besides, it also helps in metabolism and strengthens the bones.
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
The sole water is water saturated with Pink Himalayan salt. It suggested that it can help you lose weight and balance your hormones.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Processed foods like baked beans, soups, processed meat like ham and bacon, smoked foods, ready meals, restaurants, and takeaway food, some cereals, and even bread are high on salt.
The words salt and sodium are interchangeable as general usage, but both don’t mean the same. Salt is made of two main minerals that are sodium and chloride. It means sodium is a part of salt.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) each day and moving toward an absolute limit of no more than 1,500 mg each day for many adults.
Source: fda.gov