Each of the 37 trillion cells in your body is swimming in the ocean, figuratively. All human cells are bathed in a solution of sodium chloride, or salt water. Inside the cell is a concentration of potassium chloride. This difference in electrolytes creates the “battery of life”.
If you have heard the common advice that salt is bad for you, that low-salt or no salt diet is good for your body, then, it’s time to think again. The word “salary” comes from the Latin word for “salt” because Roman soldiers were paid with salt for their salary. Salt has many health benefits that are essential for a healthy functioning body. Salt plays a vital role in maintaining adequate water retention, muscle contraction, maintenance of proper stomach pH and more. You do need salt in moderation to maintain good health. Low sodium diets can lead to insulin resistance, or the beginning of diabetes.
In earlier times, salt was considered a prized substance. It was believed that salt was essential for boosting health and often prescribed to treat a many conditions such as toothaches, stomach pain and nausea. In last few decades salt content of commercial food has risen. And so has the prevalence of chronic diseases i.e. high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. This link led to public health measures advocating to limit salt consumption for prevention of these diseases.
Sodium Health Benefits
Recent studies suggest that a low-salt diet may actually lead to adverse health consequences and higher overall mortality, particularly in conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Salt is a chemical compound called sodium chloride (NaCl) with a composition of 40% sodium and 60% chlorine. Inside your body salt dissolves back into individual ions in water and play vital role in many biological processes. Your body also uses salt for upkeep of your brain, spine, tears, bones, sweat glands, organs and blood.
Salt health benefits are numerous and salt should be an essential part of your daily diet. The difference between a medicine and a poison is dosage. Salt deficiency is dangerous and too little salt can cause disturbances in tissue-water and acid-base balance. Further, sodium deficiency may lead to symptoms of hyponatremia such as brain swelling, coma, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular collapse. So, take adequate salt (neither too much nor too little) in your diet. The recommended amount of salt ranges from: 0.75 tsp – 1 tsp of salt; that makes (3.75 grams – 6 grams of salt or 1500 mg-2300 mg of sodium) per day. Keeping in mind this recommended daily maximum limit will help you in choosing food. Your salt needs are somewhat based on perspiration, which is rich in salt. The more you sweat, the more salt you need in your diet.
Health Benefits of Eating Salt
Here is a list of 6 salt health benefits :
Salt Maintains Fluid Balance
Your body uses electrolytes (Na and Cl) to carry electrical impulses, which control various bodily functions. To maintain fluid balance in the body these electrolytes trigger thirst mechanism, so that you consume adequate amounts of water. This water is then used by your kidneys to keep the appropriate balance of electrolytes in your bloodstream. As the amount of water retained in your body impacts blood pressure, your salt consumption is directly linked with your blood pressure.
Salt Supports Nerve and Muscle Activity
Your nervous system and muscle contractions rely on sodium, and chloride ions for regulation. Odium and chloride ions in salt play important role in the regulation of nervous system and muscle contraction. Nerve transmission as well as mechanical movement in your body happens only when changes in the concentrations of these ions allow neurons to send signals to other neurons and cells.
Salt Facilitates Cardiovascular Function
Sodium in salt is a major component of extracellular fluid. It is essential for maintaining the volume of the plasma and normal cellular metabolism. Besides, maintenance of extracellular fluid volume, its role in proper transmission of nerve impulses and muscle activity helps in preserving your cardiovascular health.
Salt helps Digestion
Salt is essential for digestion and absorption of your food. When your taste buds taste salt in your food, salivary amylase, an enzyme is secreted in your mouth that helps in breaking down your food. Chloride in salt is also required for producing hydrochloric acid, an important constituent of gastric juice, which besides helping in digestion and absorption of food, protects the body from illness by killing pathogens commonly found on foods.
While salt may be nature’s antidepressant, as sodium levels rise in the blood, the kidneys produce more of feel good hormone oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure, pain and anxiety levels. The stress-reducing or mood-enhancing effect of salt was confirmed in a study, where women whose diets were high in sodium were found less depressed than other women. Giving into to your salt cravings once in a while may actually make you feel better.
Salt Aids Growth
Children often reach for more salt (independent of caloric intake) than adults do, which may explain the higher needs of salt for their growing bodies. Animal studies also suggest that low-salt diets make bones and muscles fail to grow as fast as they normally would.
Too Much Salt
Excessive sodium can cause a problem because of a deficiency of potassium (from fruits and vegetables), calcium and magnesium. It is the gross imbalance of these nutrients that causes problems. Therefore, if more people consumed optimal amounts of these four minerals – calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium, then our health would be far better. In most people a blatant excess of sodium and a blatant deficiency of calcium, magnesium and potassium becomes the double edged sword in our health problems. Always use in moderation.
Does Salt Cause High Blood Pressure?
There is evidence that a salt may cause high blood pressure in a minority of people. Yet, all of our body cells are bathed in a salty solution like the ocean. There is even more evidence that hypertension (high blood pressure) is much more complicated than monitoring salt intake. Fish oil (containing valuable omega 3 fats), vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fitness, stress, body weight and percent body fat all add up to a complete equation that dictates hypertension. In general, animal foods are higher in sodium and plant foods are higher in potassium.
Hidden Salt in Our Diets
Most people get enough salt without salting their food. However, intense perspiration through heat and exercise drains the body of salt through sweat. Make sure that you get enough calcium, magnesium, potassium and fish oil. Salt to taste. Monitor your blood pressure. The vast majority of the population can eat reasonable amounts of salt without measurable increases in blood pressure. Try miso, Lite salt (half sodium, half potassium), vinegar, kelp, lemon juice, and more.
You will be surprised at the amount of hidden salt in our diets. The salt you add during cooking or at table contribute only a small amount to your diet. Often, salt is a ‘hidden’ ingredient in many foods. These foods contribute a lot of salt to your diet without you realizing it. Around 75% of the salt in your diet comes from ready-made and processed foods, such as bread, breakfast cereals, soups and baked beans.
Track Your Salt Intake if Needed
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that more salt in US diet comes from bread and rolls and not salty snacks (potato chips, pretzels and popcorn). So, to keep track of your salt intake, get into the habit of checking the food labels to find out the salt content, as the amount you eat of a particular food decides how much salt you will get from it for e.g. if the food label says 1g of salt per 100g and you eat 500g, you get 5g. In case, food label specifies sodium, multiply the amount by 2.5.
Remember, if label says more than 1.5g of salt (or 0.6g of sodium) per 100g, it is a high salt content food and if it has 0.3g of salt (0.1g of sodium) per 100g then it is a low salt content food. Try to consume processed packaged foods that are high in salt, less often or in smaller amounts and choose more natural foods. Also, while cooking, prefer using pure healthier versions such as sea, rock, black and celtic sea salts, which are rich in trace minerals.
Dr. Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS is an internationally recognized expert in the area of nutrition and health. He has 30 years experience as a clinical nutritionist, of which 10 years were spent as the Vice President for a leading cancer hospital system where he worked with 1000's of cancer patients in a hospital setting. He is a CEO, Keynote Speaker, and Best Selling Author with 19 books which have sold over 2,000,000 copies.
Is Salt Good For You?
Each of the 37 trillion cells in your body is swimming in the ocean, figuratively. All human cells are bathed in a solution of sodium chloride, or salt water. Inside the cell is a concentration of potassium chloride. This difference in electrolytes creates the “battery of life”.
If you have heard the common advice that salt is bad for you, that low-salt or no salt diet is good for your body, then, it’s time to think again. The word “salary” comes from the Latin word for “salt” because Roman soldiers were paid with salt for their salary. Salt has many health benefits that are essential for a healthy functioning body. Salt plays a vital role in maintaining adequate water retention, muscle contraction, maintenance of proper stomach pH and more. You do need salt in moderation to maintain good health. Low sodium diets can lead to insulin resistance, or the beginning of diabetes.
In earlier times, salt was considered a prized substance. It was believed that salt was essential for boosting health and often prescribed to treat a many conditions such as toothaches, stomach pain and nausea. In last few decades salt content of commercial food has risen. And so has the prevalence of chronic diseases i.e. high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease. This link led to public health measures advocating to limit salt consumption for prevention of these diseases.
Sodium Health Benefits
Recent studies suggest that a low-salt diet may actually lead to adverse health consequences and higher overall mortality, particularly in conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Salt is a chemical compound called sodium chloride (NaCl) with a composition of 40% sodium and 60% chlorine. Inside your body salt dissolves back into individual ions in water and play vital role in many biological processes. Your body also uses salt for upkeep of your brain, spine, tears, bones, sweat glands, organs and blood.
Nutrient Deficiency or Disease?
Salt Deficiency
Salt health benefits are numerous and salt should be an essential part of your daily diet. The difference between a medicine and a poison is dosage. Salt deficiency is dangerous and too little salt can cause disturbances in tissue-water and acid-base balance. Further, sodium deficiency may lead to symptoms of hyponatremia such as brain swelling, coma, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular collapse. So, take adequate salt (neither too much nor too little) in your diet. The recommended amount of salt ranges from: 0.75 tsp – 1 tsp of salt; that makes (3.75 grams – 6 grams of salt or 1500 mg-2300 mg of sodium) per day. Keeping in mind this recommended daily maximum limit will help you in choosing food. Your salt needs are somewhat based on perspiration, which is rich in salt. The more you sweat, the more salt you need in your diet.
Health Benefits of Eating Salt
Here is a list of 6 salt health benefits :
Salt Maintains Fluid Balance
Your body uses electrolytes (Na and Cl) to carry electrical impulses, which control various bodily functions. To maintain fluid balance in the body these electrolytes trigger thirst mechanism, so that you consume adequate amounts of water. This water is then used by your kidneys to keep the appropriate balance of electrolytes in your bloodstream. As the amount of water retained in your body impacts blood pressure, your salt consumption is directly linked with your blood pressure.Salt Supports Nerve and Muscle Activity
Your nervous system and muscle contractions rely on sodium, and chloride ions for regulation. Odium and chloride ions in salt play important role in the regulation of nervous system and muscle contraction. Nerve transmission as well as mechanical movement in your body happens only when changes in the concentrations of these ions allow neurons to send signals to other neurons and cells.Salt Facilitates Cardiovascular Function
Sodium in salt is a major component of extracellular fluid. It is essential for maintaining the volume of the plasma and normal cellular metabolism. Besides, maintenance of extracellular fluid volume, its role in proper transmission of nerve impulses and muscle activity helps in preserving your cardiovascular health.
Salt helps Digestion
Salt is essential for digestion and absorption of your food. When your taste buds taste salt in your food, salivary amylase, an enzyme is secreted in your mouth that helps in breaking down your food. Chloride in salt is also required for producing hydrochloric acid, an important constituent of gastric juice, which besides helping in digestion and absorption of food, protects the body from illness by killing pathogens commonly found on foods.Is Apple Cider Vinegar Healthy?
Salt Lowers Stress
While salt may be nature’s antidepressant, as sodium levels rise in the blood, the kidneys produce more of feel good hormone oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure, pain and anxiety levels. The stress-reducing or mood-enhancing effect of salt was confirmed in a study, where women whose diets were high in sodium were found less depressed than other women. Giving into to your salt cravings once in a while may actually make you feel better.Salt Aids Growth
Children often reach for more salt (independent of caloric intake) than adults do, which may explain the higher needs of salt for their growing bodies. Animal studies also suggest that low-salt diets make bones and muscles fail to grow as fast as they normally would.Too Much Salt
Excessive sodium can cause a problem because of a deficiency of potassium (from fruits and vegetables), calcium and magnesium. It is the gross imbalance of these nutrients that causes problems. Therefore, if more people consumed optimal amounts of these four minerals – calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium, then our health would be far better. In most people a blatant excess of sodium and a blatant deficiency of calcium, magnesium and potassium becomes the double edged sword in our health problems. Always use in moderation.
Does Salt Cause High Blood Pressure?
There is evidence that a salt may cause high blood pressure in a minority of people. Yet, all of our body cells are bathed in a salty solution like the ocean. There is even more evidence that hypertension (high blood pressure) is much more complicated than monitoring salt intake. Fish oil (containing valuable omega 3 fats), vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fitness, stress, body weight and percent body fat all add up to a complete equation that dictates hypertension. In general, animal foods are higher in sodium and plant foods are higher in potassium.
Hidden Salt in Our Diets
Most people get enough salt without salting their food. However, intense perspiration through heat and exercise drains the body of salt through sweat. Make sure that you get enough calcium, magnesium, potassium and fish oil. Salt to taste. Monitor your blood pressure. The vast majority of the population can eat reasonable amounts of salt without measurable increases in blood pressure. Try miso, Lite salt (half sodium, half potassium), vinegar, kelp, lemon juice, and more.
You will be surprised at the amount of hidden salt in our diets. The salt you add during cooking or at table contribute only a small amount to your diet. Often, salt is a ‘hidden’ ingredient in many foods. These foods contribute a lot of salt to your diet without you realizing it. Around 75% of the salt in your diet comes from ready-made and processed foods, such as bread, breakfast cereals, soups and baked beans.
Track Your Salt Intake if Needed
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that more salt in US diet comes from bread and rolls and not salty snacks (potato chips, pretzels and popcorn). So, to keep track of your salt intake, get into the habit of checking the food labels to find out the salt content, as the amount you eat of a particular food decides how much salt you will get from it for e.g. if the food label says 1g of salt per 100g and you eat 500g, you get 5g. In case, food label specifies sodium, multiply the amount by 2.5.
How to Boost The Immune System
Remember, if label says more than 1.5g of salt (or 0.6g of sodium) per 100g, it is a high salt content food and if it has 0.3g of salt (0.1g of sodium) per 100g then it is a low salt content food. Try to consume processed packaged foods that are high in salt, less often or in smaller amounts and choose more natural foods. Also, while cooking, prefer using pure healthier versions such as sea, rock, black and celtic sea salts, which are rich in trace minerals.
Related
Dr. Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS
Dr. Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS is an internationally recognized expert in the area of nutrition and health. He has 30 years experience as a clinical nutritionist, of which 10 years were spent as the Vice President for a leading cancer hospital system where he worked with 1000's of cancer patients in a hospital setting. He is a CEO, Keynote Speaker, and Best Selling Author with 19 books which have sold over 2,000,000 copies.