Salt is one of the most common and in-demand condiments in the world. Many people use it to improve the flavor of their food. Some also use it to mix with their drinks. However, you may have heard from health experts that too much salt consumption is known to cause several health problems. Moreover, other studies also show that consuming too little salt is also bad for your health. The idea of salt being incorporated into your diet has often resulted in many people’s confusion.
To start, salt consists of 60% chloride and 40% sodium, making it the highest source of sodium. Since time immemorial, salt has already been used to preserve food and prevent bacterial growth. Salt can also be naturally found in most food as it’s always been used as a food flavor enhancer.
There are many types of salt, including sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and plain table salt. They vary in taste, color, and texture. If you’re wondering which of them is the healthiest, the truth is they’re all similar. While a limited salt intake has already been known to reduce a person’s blood pressure, it still doesn’t support the claim that salt can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
So, instead of focusing on the debate as to whether sale is a bane or boon to mankind, why not focus on its health benefits? These include:
- Helps In Rehydration
There are plenty of ways to incorporate salt into your diet, one of which is through your beverages. In order for your body to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months, your body needs a careful balance between sodium and potassium. You may have noticed that when the weather is hot, you sweat a lot. The sweat that your body releases is actually the salt that’s leaving your body.
To properly rehydrate yourself, you need to replace the sodium you lose. Salt consists of sodium, an electrolyte that helps deliver water around your body cells faster, along with potassium. Thus, you can incorporate salt in your beverages by mixing it with your juices or water. Keep in mind to limit the amount of salt you consume to keep the balance between sodium and potassium.
- Improves Your Vascular Health
Salt has protective effects against heart disease. However, this benefit can only be found from sea salt since table salt doesn’t have any minerals. This may seem contradictory from the statements of many medical experts saying that salt must not be included in your diet. However, this benefit can be claimed depending on which type of salt you’ll use and how much salt you incorporate into your food.
- Balances Your Electrolytes
As mentioned earlier, salt is an excellent source of electrolytes. When your body has enough levels of electrolytes, your chances of experiencing muscle cramps during exercise will decrease. Salt is rich in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which are needed for optimal health. Your body can’t create these minerals; thus, they must come from your diet. If your body lacks electrolytes, you’re more likely to suffer from fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and even seizures.
- Promotes A Healthy Nervous System
In order for your water to circulate around your body faster, an adequate amount of sodium is needed. Your body, especially your nervous system, needs sufficient circulation of water for it to function properly. Salt will act as the electrical conductor so your nerve cells can send or receive nervous system signals.
Furthermore, your brain also needs the right amount of salt to balance its electrolytes. Among the types of salt, sea salt is best recommended for your brain’s sodium needs.
- Boosts Sleep Quality
You may have heard from numerous medical professionals that it’s not advisable to overeat salt as it can cause an unbalanced amount of sodium in your body. In reality, those medical experts are referring to processed foods or junk foods, and table salt, which both are already known to be harmful to your body.
However, the good type of salt, which is the natural one, is actually known to promote better sleep quality since it boosts your body’s electrolytes, which helps regulate your hormones. Thus, it’s recommended that you switch your table salt with natural salt so you can enjoy this benefit. Not only will you have a night of better sleep, but you’ll also find yourself less hungry and thirsty, and quickly feel full after every meal.
The Bottom Line
To enjoy the health benefits of salt, it’s recommended to trade your table salt with natural ones, like sea salt or Himalayan pink salt. Overall, you can enjoy salt in your food and drinks, as long as you’re using the right kind, and moderately at that.