Why is salt bad? Salt: benefit or harm to the human body? Debunking myths about the dangers of salt

Since time immemorial, disputes have been going on about whether salt is good or bad. Some argue that without sodium chloride (as it is called scientifically) the body will not live long, others prove its terrible harm, they call it white death. The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle.

Respect for bread and salt is instilled from the very young years. Without these products, we cannot imagine a full meal, and homemade canned cucumbers and tomatoes, by definition, cannot be unsalted. And let's remember national rituals, fortune-telling, fairy tales, sayings - everywhere a dear guest is greeted with bread and salt.

But the older we get, the more persistently doctors advise us to limit its use. Very often, increased consumption of salinity provokes the development of hypertension. The fact is that salt retains fluid in the body. Because of this, blood cells begin to press on blood vessels and arteries with an increased volume.

So what is the whole truth about salt? What is the use of it, what is the harm? Let's figure it out together.

Why does the body need it?

According to experts, salt is vital for us. With its chronic deficiency, very serious consequences, up to lethal outcome. As we remember from school biology lessons, the human body is 70% water.

It is sodium chloride that maintains normal water balance in the body. Of course, for this, the minimum intake of salt is quite enough - from 5 to 10 g per day.
If you regularly consume more of it, you can harm your health. Let's look at the benefits and harms of its use:

Benefit

It all depends on the dosage. Since the main purpose of this product is to maintain the water-salt balance, it is important to use it no more than recommended by doctors. daily dose. Generally, get lethal dose salt will be quite problematic, since hardly anyone can eat an amount at the rate of 3 grams per kilogram of body weight.

Sodium chloride is responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. nutrients to organs tissues, as well as for the passage nerve impulses providing motor activity muscles. The human body cannot synthesize sodium on its own, so it needs to be obtained from the outside, along with food.

It must be said that this substance is an excellent natural preservative that slows down or completely prevents the development of pathogens in food. Therefore, it can rightfully be called the simplest, most inexpensive, safe means to ensure long shelf life of many products.

The benefits of the product are not only nutritional value. Salt will help with some ailments. For example, it is used for inhalation, gargling, nasal sinuses for colds, tonsillitis, sinusitis. It cleans the skin, getting rid of acne. Lubricate insect bites to get rid of itching, inflammation. They make baths to strengthen nails and much more.

Harm

With regular increased use, the water balance is disturbed, there is an accumulation excess fluid. This often forms stones in the gallbladder, kidneys, increases blood pressure.

As we have already said, the daily amount of sodium chloride should not exceed 10 g. But it must be recalled that the food consumed per day already contains salt, sometimes its amount is even too high. Therefore, this must be taken into account when you want to salt a dish.

Of course, it is unnecessary to completely abandon it, but it is not worth increasing the use. You just need to know the measure.

What salt to choose?

It will be useful to know that the most useful is the one that has not undergone any industrial processing at all. Or choose the least processed. Also, don't buy too small. But it is best to choose not the usual, but unrefined sea salt. It contains many useful substances- more than 80 trace elements and about 200 names of the most important chemical compounds.

But when it undergoes purification and industrial processing, sea salt turns into ordinary, of little use table salt. At the same time, it loses almost all useful substances.

Why is it better to use raw sea salt?

She has a natural natural origin, namely, is obtained due to evaporation sea ​​water under the influence of wind, sun, sea air.

Does not contain extraneous chemical additives harmful to the body.

In addition to chlorine and sodium, it contains the most important elements - like potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, zinc, copper.

In terms of taste, not only is it not inferior to its counterpart industrial production, but far exceeds it.

In conclusion, I would like to note that salt, of course, is necessary for the human body. You don't have to give it up completely habitual image life. Its use will never harm you if you do not abuse it.

Watch your diet, do not get carried away with too salty foods, although you should not completely refuse them either. Just know the measure, try not to abuse them. Remember that too much or too little salt is bad for your health.

Salt is the oldest natural resource and one of the most popular natural minerals on Earth. However, in recent decades, serious scientific disputes have flared up around this mineral. Some put salt on a pedestal, others equate it with a killer, calling it "white death." Where is the truth? How to figure out whether salt heals us or cripples us? Let's weigh all the pros and cons and try to put an end to this difficult dispute.

A bit of history

Since ancient times, mankind has known about extraordinary property salt changes the taste of food. As a result, salt began to be evaporated and frozen out of sea water, and a little later, mankind learned about rock salt, which began to be mined from underground.

Very quickly, salt became incredibly popular. In the Middle Ages, this mineral began to be worth its weight in gold, and it was not without reason that countries unleashed real wars for the right to own salt deposits! In high society, salt was served to the table in special salt shakers inlaid precious stones. Yes, and the common people could not imagine their lives without salt, remember at least the Salt Riot in 1648 in Russia. In each house, guests were greeted with bread and salt, this product was stocked up for the winter, salt was present in many fairy tales and legends. And even the well-known expression "salt of the Earth", about people representing special value for all mankind, says a lot about the significance of the mineral itself for all of us.

So, has humanity deified such a mineral so harmful to our body for many centuries?

Benefits of salt for the body

Initially, let's say that without salt, a person simply could not exist! Salt is the main supplier of such essential elements the proper functioning of the body, as sodium and chlorine. A third of sodium is found in human bones, the rest is predominant in the nervous and muscle tissue, in extracellular fluids (including in the brain), and the independent production of sodium by the body is impossible. Sodium is necessary for intertissue and intracellular metabolism, activation digestive enzymes, regulation acid-base balance accumulation of fluid in the human body. Sodium can be obtained from beets, carrots and other vegetable food. In turn, chlorine contained in human tissues is indispensable in the regulation of water metabolism and osmotic pressure, in education of hydrochloric acid gastric juice. Chlorine is present in food products like meat, milk, bread.

With a lack of sodium chloride (less than 0.5 g per day), a person has a loss of taste and lack of appetite, nausea and flatulence, stomach cramps and fatigue, lowering blood pressure, frequent dizziness, weakness (up to muscle cramps), memory impairment and weakened immunity, problems with the skin, hair and nails.

These facts alone are enough to not completely exclude salt from your diet. Another thing is the excess consumption of this mineral and the quality of the salt that falls on our table.

Harm of salt for the body

Here it should be noted that salt enters our body not only in the form of a separate product. It is found in almost every food we eat every day, from bread to fruit. But especially a lot of salt in canned food(salted cucumbers, sauerkraut, salted herring). What can we say about sausages, sausages and other semi-finished products, as well as salted nuts, chips, crackers and other harmful products.

If you abuse such food, and besides, add salt to food, its excess in the body will result in the development of edema, kidney problems (due to their overload), high blood pressure (in hypertensive patients), as well as high intracranial and eye pressure(in persons suffering from glaucoma). Constant thirst, sweating, increased nervous excitability and frequent urges to urination also indicate excess content sodium in the body.

The development of hypertension is indicated by the desire to salt food, constant taste sensations that food is not salted enough - you should pay attention to such a symptom. Excess salt in food whets the appetite (salt is a flavor enhancer), and besides, after such a meal you want to drink a lot. That is, excess weight and swelling are provided.

Salt can, with a slight excess in use, increase the load on the heart muscle, liver, kidneys, provoke a strong headache. medical research showed that people exposed to excessive salt intake lead predominantly sedentary image life. Cognitive functions gradually worsen, concentration of attention is significantly reduced. When moving to more active image brain functions are restored.

How much salt does a person need

It becomes clear that salt must be consumed in limited quantities. World Organization Health (WHO) recommends eating no more than 2-3 g of this product per day (less than 1 tsp). That's just the statistics modern man eats 12-13 g of salt per day! Such high consumption salt is harmful to anyone, but especially dangerous for obese people, hypertension, gout, kidney disease, as well as women in menopause and post-menopause.

What salt to choose?

1. Table salt "Extra"
Salt is present on our tables in 99 cases out of 100. In fact, this is a refined product that has absolutely White color and even small crystals. As a result of thermal and chemical treatment, such salt loses its original properties, because from useful minerals it contains only sodium and chlorine. In addition, to make the salt crumbly, anti-caking agents are added to this product, which are also harmful. Salt of the first and second grade contains more trace elements, and therefore it is more beneficial for the body.

2. Sea salt
This salt is extremely useful for the body, as it is extracted by evaporation from sea water, so that all valuable minerals remain in the finished product, including potassium, calcium, bromine, magnesium, iodine (more than 50 trace elements in total).

3. Rock salt
In fact, it is the same sea salt, the deposits of which were formed in the place of the dried up ancient seas. Such salt has a smell that not everyone likes, but it tastes softer than table salt and is ideal for preparing first and second courses.

4. Iodized salt
This is ordinary table salt, to which manufacturers add potassium iodide. This product is recommended for people with insufficient hormone production. thyroid gland(hypothyroidism), but for people with hyperthyroidism, such salt is contraindicated. In addition, it has a limited shelf life and is not suitable for pickling and pickling vegetables.

5. Pink Himalayan salt
it unique product, which is mined in Pakistan, at the foot of the Himalayas. Himalayan rock salt has pink color and pleasant aroma. But more importantly, it contains 84 micronutrients that support the health of the body. True, the price of such salt is quite high.

Salt treatment

And now we will tell you in detail about how salt helps to fight certain painful conditions.

1. Toxicosis and severe vomiting
Dissolve 1 tsp. ordinary table salt in a liter of warm boiled water and take 1 tbsp. at short intervals.

2. severe diarrhea
Dilute two teaspoons of salt in a liter of boiled water and drink this solution to replenish fluid loss in the body and prevent dehydration. It is necessary to drink in small sips after a short period of time.

3. Food poisoning
Taking 2 tbsp. of the product in question, dilute them in a liter of warm boiled water and drink 2-3 glasses of this remedy. Already after the second glass, you will feel a strong urge to vomit and can easily get rid of the contents of the stomach, and therefore of toxins.

4. Tonsillitis, colds and sore throat
Having diluted 1 tsp. salt in a glass warm water Gargle with this solution at least 6 times a day. It is also recommended to add 2 drops of iodine to the liquid.

5. Dry head eczema
Take a handful of salt and rub it gently into the affected areas of the scalp for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off the remaining salt with warm water. Carry out such procedures twice a week for a month and this problem won't bother you anymore. During the treatment period, refrain from washing your hair with shampoo, styling and using a hairdryer.

6. fungal infection feet
Just dissolve in a glass of water 1 tbsp. salt and wash your feet daily at night with this solution.

7. Nail fungus (onychomycosis)
Dilute the salt as described in the previous recipe, then soak a piece of gauze in this liquid and apply it to the affected nail, holding the gauze until it dries.

8. Suppuration of the finger at the nail
Dilute two tablespoons of table salt in a glass of boiling water. Dip the inflamed finger in the hot solution and hold for 20 minutes. Repeat the procedures every day until complete recovery.

9. Colds
Heat the salt in a frying pan for a few minutes, then fill a cotton bag with a handful of salt and apply it hot to the wings of the nose. By the way, it is useful to apply hot salt in a bag to the soles of the feet.

10. Overweight
Fill the tub halfway with water. Dilute 0.5 kg of table salt in it and gradually fill the bath to the optimum level. The water temperature should be around 25–30°C. Perform water procedures for 15 minutes an hour before bedtime 2-3 times a week. Full course therapy will be 8-12 procedures.

11. Treatment of hemorrhoids
To treat hemorrhoids and get rid of pain, hot baths can help. They should be done for 3 days in a row before going to bed. To prepare the bath, you will need 3 liters of water, to which 0.5 kg of table salt is added. Boil the solution, cool to a temperature that can be tolerated, and take a bath for 15-20 minutes.

sea ​​salt treatment

1. Chronic tonsillitis, sore throat, sore throat
teaspoon sea ​​salt should be dissolved in a glass warm water and arrange gargling several times a day.

2. Vegetative-vascular dystonia, insomnia and neurosis
Every morning, rub down with cool water (1 l), in which sea salt (3 tablespoons) was diluted. After 30 days of daily therapy, you will be pleasantly surprised by the result. Such rubdowns also contribute to the hardening of the body and increase immunity.

3. Bruises, bruises and bruises
Per glass cold water take 2 tbsp. sea ​​salt. Having moistened gauze folded in several layers in the solution, apply it to the affected area for two hours.

Salt and weight loss

Be sure to limit salt intake for people seeking to reduce body weight. There are even salt-free diets. An excess of salt leads to edema. It is believed that a single extra gram of salt contributes to the retention of 100 ml of fluid in the body. Table salt is natural enhancer taste, it contributes to uncontrolled overeating, weight gain. As a result, it creates additional load on the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.

It is best to salt your food with sea salt, which contains a large number of useful minerals. But in any case, it is necessary to reduce salt intake to a minimum. To improve the body, you should remove the salt shaker from the table, do not add salt to dishes, even if they seem unsalted. It is imperative to abandon semi-finished products, exclude fast food, salted nuts, chips from the diet. You should limit the use of a variety of gravies, sauces containing a large amount of salt. Salads are better dressed vegetable oil or lemon juice. It is important to remember about hidden salt, which is found in sausages, cheeses.

Benefits of a sea salt bath

Separately, it should be said about the bath with sea salt. This therapy is considered to be very effective means for ailments such as:

• increased nervousness;
• stress and sleep disturbance;
• metabolic disease;
• vascular atherosclerosis;
• problems with the joints and spine (osteochondrosis, arthrosis, arthritis);
• skin pathologies caused by allergies (eczema, seborrhea and psoriasis, diathesis and dermatitis);
• hypothyroidism;
• decreased immunity;
• cellulite.

Before taking a bath, be sure to rinse in the shower with soap and water. Draw water with a temperature of 35–37°C, and add about 250–300 g of sea salt. This will be enough to calm and relax. If you wish to carry out healing procedures, the salt concentration should be increased to 0.7–1 kg.

And further. After water treatment do not rush to wipe. Just blot your skin with a towel to remove moisture. The beneficial substances remaining on the skin will be absorbed for another 1.5-2 hours.

One has only to remember that salt baths are contraindicated for people with skin diseases purulent nature, persons with malignant and benign tumors, with arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypertension of the 2nd and 3rd type. With tuberculosis, vein thrombosis, exacerbation infectious diseases and pregnancy, this treatment is also contraindicated.

Salt cosmetics

Surprisingly, ordinary salt can be an excellent cosmetic product that comes to the rescue in the most different situations. Here are some examples.

1. Oily skin acne prone
Dilute a tablespoon of sea salt in 3 tbsp. water to which a little has been added baby soap. Apply the resulting mixture on the face, rubbing the product in circular massaging movements, then wait two minutes and rinse everything with warm water. Literally 2-3 procedures per week will give the desired result very quickly.

2. Brittle and exfoliating nails
If your nails began to exfoliate and break, pour 0.5 l into the bath hot water and dilute in water 2 tbsp. sea ​​salt. Keep your fingers in this bath for 15 minutes daily. There is another healthy recipe. Cut the lemon into two halves, sprinkle one half with sea salt on top, and then dip your fingers into the pulp for 10 minutes. At the end of the procedure, rinse your fingers with water and blot with a napkin. Do 10 such procedures, and if necessary, repeat the course in a month.

3. Problems with hair growth
To get a beautiful and lush head of hair, you also cannot do without sea salt. 1 tsp dissolve this product in half a glass of heated kefir, add 2 tbsp. water and one egg yolk. Apply the finished mixture to your hair, gently rubbing it into the scalp, then wrap your head with a towel and leave for 30 minutes. Treat hair in this way should be 2 times a week for two months.

4. The presence of comedones on the skin of the face
To combat black dots on the face, a lot has been developed. cosmetics. But after all, it is quite possible to cope with comedones on your own if you have sea salt on hand. To prepare the cleanser, simply grind 1 tsp. sea ​​salt in a coffee grinder and mix the resulting pollen with 1 tsp. m of soda. Moisten the problem areas of the face with water, and then soak a damp cotton swab in the prepared product and apply it on the face in a circular motion without strong pressure on the skin. Leave the product on for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply a moisturizer. Make such a mask once a week and after a month the problem of comedones will no longer bother you.

5. Anti-cellulite, cleansing body scrub in the bath
Mix salt and soda in equal proportions. After the steam room, in a circular motion with light pressure, apply the scrub on the body. Massage lightly and leave on the body for 5-15 minutes. Soda softens the skin, salt promotes the release of fluid, disinfects and cleanses the skin. You can also prepare a body scrub from honey and salt.
Health to you and beauty!

Kitchen (table) salt is constantly present in our daily food. It is she who raises taste qualities and appetite. But almost everyone knows that salt is the “white death”. Why is it so? Should you give up salt? How dangerous is she? To answer, you need to understand some of the nuances, find out what reactions occur in the body after eating salt. It is especially important to pay attention to its harm and negative impact on the body.

The popularity of table salt

Experienced doctor Michael Goren singled out main reasons for using salt:

• The more salt you eat, the more you drink. Previously, innkeepers specifically offered salty foods to their customers so that they would order as much drink from them as possible.
• Salt helps keep food from rotting and spoiling. Now we have a large selection of refrigerators, freezers, and earlier salt was constantly used to preserve food. People fermented, salted, soaked fresh vegetables, meat. From this moment on, a person begins to get used to everything salty, while not being afraid that the products can harm.
• A person does not know about the required amount of chlorine and sodium for his body. Many products contain these substances in large quantities.

Harm of salt for the body

If a person does not suffer from kidney and heart diseases, his body removes about 25 grams of salt along with sweat, feces and urine. In case of abuse of salt, it begins to accumulate in the body.

We draw your attention when a person has pulmonary tuberculosis, even if heavy sweating only about 2 grams of salt comes out of the body. Also, if the person is not suffering kidney disease, consumes about 12 grams of salt per day, while only a liter of urine is excreted, 3 grams of salt begins to accumulate in the body. So over the years, the cells become completely salted, the reaction of sodium and potassium is disrupted, and subsequently a lot of edema appears.

In the case of diseases of the kidneys, heart, there are problems with blood circulation. It is important to understand: in case of diseases of the lungs, blood, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, it is necessary to completely abandon table salt.

You should also do everything to cleanse the body of excess accumulation of sodium chloride. For this you need to drink spoiled milk, stick to a diet without salt. It is extremely necessary for the appearance of edema, inflammation.

Why are doctors against giving up salt?

Many doctors say: you can not completely exclude salt from your diet. It is believed that when a person sweats, he loses required amount salt, so be sure to use salty food. Modern nutritionists are sure that this opinion is erroneous. The body itself supports enough sodium chloride in the blood. The body should only have about 15% salt.

Video: SALT - BENEFIT AND HARM

It is important to remember that salt accumulates in the tissues, then enters the bloodstream. Therefore, over time, it returns, even if a person loses sodium chloride with vomiting, stool, sweat. When used raw vegetables, fruits, you still get 1 gram of table salt per day.

As for the salt-free diet, it can be called such, because you simply do not add table salt, and in fact it is found in many foods.

Video: Salt Harm

How to get used to food without salt?

Many foods without salt cannot be consumed. But we have already managed to find a way out of this situation, we will share with you some secrets:

Video: SALT HARM AND BENEFITS / harm of salt when losing weight, the role of salt in the human body

• In salt-free soup, you can add onions, yogurt, fresh herbs, garlic.
• Unsalted pasta, noodles will be much tastier if you add fresh vegetables to them - onions, tomatoes, garlic, herbs.
• You can improve the taste of baked potatoes by adding to it olive oil with herbs, garlic, sour cream, sauce. It is recommended to complement the dish fresh vegetables, sauerkraut.

Of course, those who are very fond of salty can not immediately refuse it. But, if you set yourself a goal - to improve your health, you will definitely succeed. Already after two months you will begin to get used to salt-free food, and you will not want cheese, herring. It is also worth noting that all flavoring salty additives, flavors are especially dangerous for health, they lead to serious diseases of the stomach, intestines, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, as well as to obesity.

Where is natural salt found? Onion, radish, garlic. But apple and lemon juice will perfectly replace table salt. Sometimes nutritionists recommend using sea salt, because it contains not only chlorine and sodium, but also other more useful mineral elements. Seaweeds are especially valuable, they help to cure diseases of the endocrine system.

What is the difference between table salt and sea salt?

Many people think that marine view salt contains as many useful substances as the stone, unrefined look. But it's not! Also, iodized and sea salt are often confused, thinking that they are one and the same. No, iodized salt does not contain trace elements, which are abundant in sea salt. It is important to understand well here. It is best to buy proven products. If you are not sure what kind of salt is needed, consult with a specialist.

In this way, human body needs a small amount of salt, but you should not abuse it, because it can seriously harm. Also, do not get involved in a salt-free diet. If you decide to stick with it, it is best to consult with a dietitian, your doctor, who will give permission. Appreciate your health, stay young as long as possible!

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There are many scientists claiming the dangers of salt. We all know the phrase referring to salt - "white death". But why is salt so harmful, as they say about it? Until recently, it was believed that salt, and especially its consumption in large quantities leads to the development of thrombosis, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. In fact, now it turned out to be exactly the opposite: the lack of salt intake leads just the same to these diseases. This of course does not mean that salt can be eaten uncontrollably.

In large quantities, it causes obesity, due to the fact that it contributes to the retention of water in the body. The daily intake of salt is 3-7 grams. People who have gained weight due to the high consumption of salt, switching to using it in smaller quantities, quickly begin to lose weight and, on average, can lose 4-8 kg of excess weight.

Salt consumed in large quantities can cause this serious illness like kidney stones. This is due to a decrease in the solubility of the one-sodium salt uric acid, which precipitates and forms stones in the channels of urine excretion. Among other things, salt in large quantities gives swelling of body tissues, causes diseases of the kidneys, pancreas and heart.

Note that we have always talked about a lot of salt. It is the increased consumption that causes harm, but what will happen if you use salt in normal amount Or abandon it altogether? Read on.

Why is salt needed?

Salt is a natural product for the body of any earthly creature. After all, life originated in the sea and creatures initially had free access to as much salt as they needed. Once on land, the animals began to adapt and get the necessary salt from food. And man is no exception. We discuss all this in order to understand that salt is vital necessary element. Our body contains about 300 grams of sodium chloride (salt). It is found in significant concentrations in the blood, plasma, and is excreted in urine, sweat, and tears. And if this supply begins to decrease due to insufficient consumption, this leads to disorders. nervous system, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, fainting, poor healing wounds, increased blood cholesterol, etc.

Conclusion: we discussed the harm of salt and came to the conclusion that it is impossible to consume it in excess of the norm, but also to refuse it completely is also not reasonable. Both of these lead to Negative consequences for our body various diseases. What are the best types of salt to consume, and what benefits does it bring? Read more -

salt intake

Salt- a familiar and for some even a favorite component of food. You can find different opinions about it: some consider it useful and not dangerous for a person, while others talk about its harm. Let's take a look at who is actually right, and decide if it can be added to food in large quantities.

What is the harm of salt for a person?

I think a lot of people have heard that salt also called "white death". Why is it assigned a frightening name? The fact is that, first of all, this mineral retains water in the body, which increases the load on the heart. It is believed that at healthy organs Approximately 25 g of salt is excreted per day. If the amount consumed is higher than this indicator, then the remainder is deposited in the body and accumulates over time. A few years later, because of this, the balance between sodium and potassium is disturbed, and the person swims with edema. This can be considered one of the first signs that the body is present too much salt.

Suffering a lot digestive system, because due to salted dishes, gastritis and, subsequently, a stomach ulcer can form. If these diseases are already present in a person, then they will worsen and can go from chronic to chronic. sharp shape. That is why people suffering from diseases of the organs gastrointestinal tract recommended to follow a diet that includes minimum salt.

Scientists managed to prove that the white mineral affects the appearance and development of cataracts. This disease is a clouding of the crystal of the eye, due to which vision deteriorates significantly. Salt, by the way, helps to increase blood pressure and it also negatively affects eye function. Because of this, vision falls, and a person cannot always guess the true reason.

Proved that salt disrupts work circulatory system. Due to the fact that the excess is not excreted from the body along with sweat and urine, it is deposited on the walls of blood vessels. Because of this, they become brittle. Over time, atherosclerosis may develop - the walls of blood vessels increase in size and become uneven, formed atherosclerotic plaques. As a result, the vessels narrow, and the heart receives insufficient blood supply.

Atherosclerosis is dangerous because with it highly likely stroke may occur. Because of it, a person can either die or lose the opportunity to live normally. This occurs due to clogging of the blood vessels of the brain with blood clots.

Not recommended for people who want to lose weight eat salt in any form. It enhances the taste and causes appetite, so some people start to eat more than they need. Because of this, they gain mass, which can then be thrown off only on the condition that they stop using salt. As already known, this mineral retains fluid in the body, and this also leads to body volume.

Also applies to joints. negative effects of salt. In them, this component is deposited, which is quite for a long time may be asymptomatic. But over the years, the joints become less flexible, begin to hurt and react to changing weather. And it only gets worse with age. The joints begin to not only hurt, but also swell, as the body will try to get rid of excess salt with the help of a liquid. But from this, the well-being of a person only worsens.

Does a person need salt?

Learning about the dangers of salt, the question may immediately arise as to whether it is needed at all. Scientists have proven that it is impossible to do without it, since the lack of a white mineral in the diet leads to a violation of the digestive processes, to problems with cardiovascular system to depression, apathy and muscle spasms. And so it turns out that giving up salt no less dangerous than its excessive consumption. So what is the way out of this situation?

First of all, you need to know how much salt a person should receive per day through food. It is believed that it should not exceed 4 g per day, and patients with hypertension should reduce the rate to 1 g. This is the only way a person will not get tired quickly, experience weakness and thirst, as well as loss of appetite. In particular, foods rich in minerals and containing salt should be consumed by those who have to sweat a lot while working. This applies to people living in a hot climate or doing hard physical labor.

The thing is that salt enriches the body with sodium - for 1 g of salt there is 0.4 g of sodium. And it is vital for the body. With its deficiency, in addition to the symptoms listed above, loss of consciousness and even coma may occur. Therefore, it is not recommended to completely abandon the white mineral, but it is necessary to take control of its use.

What kind of salt can be called useful?

Now in stores you can find various ones intended for adding to food. Since this element cannot be abandoned, then the most useful of all available should be chosen. Perhaps it will cost more than the usual option, but there will be more benefits for the body and less harm.

Types of edible salt:

• stone - natural product, extracted naturally;
• table salt - rock salt that has been processed and bleached;
• extra - the purest of all, contains only sodium chloride and no more trace elements, is considered the least useful;
• iodized - table salt, to which iodine-containing salts have been added, is considered effective in the prevention of ailments;
• marine - the most useful of all, contains the largest number components necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Of these listed options, it is recommended to choose the latter, since it will be the least harmful to the body. Even better to buy maritime iodized salt to get the maximum benefit from the component.

How much salt is in different foods?

Every person knows that the various products contains a certain amount of salt. This also needs to be taken into account when compiling the menu. It is believed that the largest amount is present where it is used as a preservative. That is, in salted fish, meat, canned vegetables. There is also quite a lot of it in snacks intended for beer. That is, in crackers, pretzels, chips, nuts, etc. In addition, it is not enough in semi-finished products and sausages.

Concerning raw foods nutrition, then approximately 800-1000 milligrams of salt is contained in 100 grams of cheese. 800 mg in sauerkraut, 410 mg in green beans, 250 mg in beets and 165 in chicory. Least of all in apples, white cabbage and pears - from 3 to 8 mg per 100 g. From this we can conclude which foods can be consumed in large quantities, and which are best reduced to a minimum or completely eliminated.

Is it possible to remove excess salt from the body?

People facing problems excess salt, may wonder how to remove it from the body. This can be done, but it will take time to restore balance and completely get rid of the excess. AT without fail will need to comply salt-free diet . Some doctors do not speak very well of it, as they believe that the loss of salt should be replenished. However, this is misleading. Required level potassium chloride will remain normal with the diet, as the accumulated salt will quickly pass into the blood. Yes, and a small amount of salt will still be ingested even with vegetables and fruits. The only difference will be that the amount will be much less than if you constantly salt your food.

The diet can be difficult for some people, as many meals can become unpalatable without the addition of the white mineral. However, health is much more important, so it is worth enduring. Yes, and salt can be obtained from some natural and safe products. For example, from garlic, onion, horseradish, apple and lemon juice. They will help to make food less bland and at the same time do not break the diet. And then, when it will be possible to eat normally again, it is recommended to replace ordinary table salt with sea salt in order to avoid new problems.

I believe you can stop using a large amount of salt. Take care of your health now so that you do not face diseases later. Be healthy, positive and happy!