Salt and Your Health
Most Americans know the basics about salt: salt is good for you, table salt is bland, and sea salt is salty. However, there are some salt facts that most people don’t know. Some chefs prefer it to table salt for its crunchy, coarse texture and richer flavor. And sea salt has surprisingly enjoyed increased popularity in recent years, even in supermarkets and restaurants. Some varieties of sea salt even claim to have less salt than table salt.
In addition, the way salt reacts with the food can have an impact on the taste. Certain salt varieties retain more of the mineral content of the food, while others seem to neutralize the taste. For example, smoked salt creates a smokey taste in food, while kosher salt minimizes the taste of dairy. And diners who are looking to salt boost the flavor in their foods should be aware that” kosher salt” is not the same as” kosher salt”.
Salt has both benefits and drawbacks for those seeking to enjoy its natural flavors. It helps to preserve food, but can also deplete the minerals in food over time. However, many expert chefs use kosher salt, which retain trace amounts of essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, as well as being a safe alternative to table salt. This form of salt is also known to help with a number of health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and arthritis.
However, experts caution against increasing your salt intake too much, especially in the context of high blood pressure or other medical conditions. In fact, sodium is actually good for your health when consumed in the proper amounts. However, a diet rich in salt can actually increase blood pressure due to excess sodium and fluids. And studies have shown that people suffering from hypertension benefit more from reduced salt intake than regular table salt alone.
Another issue regarding table salt is the presence of “iodides” in salt crystals. These compounds, as scientists describe them, are produced during the salt process and are naturally present in salt. The problem occurs when humans, and sometimes animals, ingest these “iodides” and they enter the bloodstream. Over time, these “iodides” can build up to toxic levels, and this contributes to the increased risk of hypertension, heart disease and strokes.
The solution to this problem is to purchase a salt alternative such as Himalayan crystal salt, coarser grained table salt or fine sea salt. All of these salts are sourced from natural sources and contain important mineral salts that contribute to the flavor of food, as well as maintaining the body’s pH level. For instance, Himalayan crystal salt is made by the deep sea and contains 90 percent sodium chloride. The other types of salt used in cooking are all derived from salt mines around the world and are made with sodium chloride. All of these salt alternatives retain the minerals and beneficial trace elements that are present in table salt, without the harmful effects of iodine and hydrocyanic acid.
There are two main types of kosher salt available. Kosher salt, also known as the “shield salt”, is the salt that comes in a thin sheet and is often used to enhance the taste of kosher food. The other type of kosher salt is known as sea salt, which is not usually used to season food. It contains magnesium and calcium, as well as trace minerals such as potassium, bromine, calcium and manganese. These minerals are commonly deficient in foods that contain chemical additives, and sea salt is an ideal replacement for table salt that helps restore these essential nutrients.
The addition of sea salt or kosher salt to the diet can help alleviate some of the symptoms of high blood pressure. The intake of a moderate amount of these salts has been shown to decrease the risk of stroke and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Also, studies have shown that those who eat a lot of processed salt tend to have more health problems than people who consume unprocessed table salt. It’s really important to choose the salt that’s right for you – whether it’s sea salt or table salt – and to add it to your diet as regularly as possible.