Salt – is it ‘really’ bad for you?
Above Image by Sunny Forest/Shutterstock.com
Although I had conquered my addiction to sugar, I still had a craving for salt. I was aware that hypertension ran in the family and the message from the media always tell us to reduce our daily intake of salt. Despite this, I still found myself adding salt to almost every meal I ate, as well as eating salty snacks.
Whilst I was researching about the benefits of iodine, I came across a number of forums where people were discussing the untold benefits of unrefined sea salt. This was a shocking revelation to me, as I was only aware of table salt. I learned that what was being referred to as ‘good’ salt was unrefined sea salt which was moist in texture, has some pigment of color and fairly large crystals, unlike table salt. Also this type of salt is harvested without the use of harsh chemicals or machinery. Celtic sea salt is one example of this which is gathered by wooden tools and is naturally dried by the sun and wind. This process also preserves the salt’s delicate nutritional profile. It contains over 80 trace minerals – such as magnesium, potassium, strontium, sulfur and silicon.
In contrast, table salt is mined from the earth using heavy machinery. It is then subjected to high heat (1200F) which strips it of its naturally occurring nutrients. Anti caking agents – additives and other preservatives are often added to the salt to make it easier to use.
I felt I’d been misinformed about all salt being really bad for us, when in fact some even had nutritional value.
Now that I had switched to using unrefined sea salt, due to its naturally intense flavor, I now use less salt on my food overall.
Whilst it’s important to consume salt in moderation, it is often not recognised for its benefits such as promoting adrenal functioning, a healthy nervous system and hydration. In this case knowing these facts can enable you to make a real informed choice about what type of salt to consume and how much, as it can ultimately affect our health, body and well-being.
All information in this article is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References:
David Brownstein, M.D. (2010). Salt your way to health. Michigan: Medical Alternative Press.
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