The Salt of the Earth: Why High-Quality Salt is Essential for Your Health
Salt is an essential nutrient that is crucial for our body's overall health and function. But not all salt is created equal. In fact, there is a vast difference between highly processed, refined table salt and high-quality salt. In this post, we'll explore why high-quality salt is important and how it can benefit our health.
First, it's essential to understand that our body needs salt to function correctly. Sodium, the main component of salt, plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure, supporting nerve and muscle function, and maintaining fluid balance in the body. However, most of us consume far too much processed and refined salt in our diets, which can lead to a range of health issues.
On the other hand, high-quality salt is minimally processed and contains essential minerals and trace elements that our body needs to function correctly. Unlike table salt, high-quality salt contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are crucial for maintaining optimal health.
Studies have shown that consuming high-quality salt can have a range of health benefits. For example, it can help regulate blood sugar levels, support healthy thyroid function, and improve digestion. High-quality salt can also promote healthy sleep patterns and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
One of the best ways to ensure you're getting high-quality salt is by adding it to your drinking water. Unlike plain water, which can sometimes lead to dehydration, water with added salt or minerals can help the body hydrate more effectively. In fact, studies have shown that adding a small amount of salt to water can improve cellular hydration and improve overall hydration status.
Salt has been an important component of human diets for centuries, but in recent years, it has been associated with several health problems. However, studies have shown that salt is a crucial nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining our health.
As noted in "Salt: Friend or Foe?" by Dr. Mark Hyman, salt is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, as well as regulating blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. Our bodies need a small amount of salt each day to function correctly, as emphasized by the American Heart Association in "Salt, Water and Electrolyte Balance". They recommend consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, which is about one teaspoon of salt.
However, it's essential to choose high-quality salt for adding to water and food. Look for unrefined sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or Celtic sea salt, which all contain a variety of essential minerals and trace elements that are beneficial for health.
In conclusion, high-quality salt is an essential nutrient that our body needs to function correctly. By choosing high-quality salt and adding it to our drinking water and food, we can support optimal health and reduce the risk of developing health issues associated with consuming too much processed salt. Remember, not all salt is created equal, so choose wisely!
References:
Hyman, M. (2018, March 19). Salt: Friend or Foe? https://drhyman.com/blog/2018/03/19/salt-friend-or-foe/
American Heart Association. (n.d.). Salt, Water and Electrolyte Balance. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/salt-water-and-electrolyte-balance
Gunnars, K. (2018, June 7). The Importance of Salt in Your Diet. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/importance-of-salt-in-diet