What is the difference between salt and sodium?
Salt is mainly composed of sodium chloride (NaCl) but also contains other minerals. Sodium is therefore a chemical compound that is part of salt.
What are the benefits of salt and sodium?
Sodium is an essential electrolyte for the human body for multiple reasons.
- It helps maintain and regulate bodily fluids.
- It hydrates the body during physical effort or after any activity that causes sweating.
- Like potassium, sodium is required for the body to perform any muscle contraction.
- Salt also enables the formation of nerve signals in neurons.
- The high mineral content of salt, such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium, is beneficial for health.
What are the consequences of excess sodium?
Consuming too much salt can lead to an increase in blood pressure due to its role in controlling blood volume. An excessive presence of salt in the body can also cause kidney damage, heart problems, and the well-known phenomenon of water retention, which can cause weight fluctuations on the scale.
What is the best salt to consume?
It is recommended to consume Himalayan salt or any other raw salt rather than table salt, as the latter is so refined that it has almost no benefits left. Refined salt is also the type predominantly used in processed foods, which should be avoided as much as possible for better health.
How much salt should be consumed per day?
A daily intake of 1500 mg is recommended and can be increased depending on a person’s level of physical activity.
Is salt bad for health?
In summary, the sodium contained in salt is an essential nutrient with many benefits, but its daily intake should be controlled.