Our Debate on Salt vs. Sodium Chloride
Sodium would top the list of minerals that have gotten a bad rap. Various reports and articles criticize this mineral to an extent that people desperately try to take it off their diet completely. This could be dangerous. The body needs a significant amount of sodium to live, because sodium balances the water content inside and outside our cells.
Sodium deficiency can result in symptoms including heart palpitations, dehydration, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, and low libido. Bottom line, sodium is necessary for your body to stay healthy. Then, why do the reports speak about the dangers of this salt?
Sodium has been refined with chemicals and so, has lost some of its natural healing properties, like many other minerals. The process of washing and chemically treating natural salt crystal results in sodium chloride. The natural salt crystal contains nearly 100 elements. The refinement results in just two elements, namely, sodium and chloride. Sodium chloride is what we commonly know as ‘table salt’. It is the combination of these two elements that is dangerous.
Sodium when combined with potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other elements is beneficial to the human body. In other words, the closer sodium is, to its original form the better are the benefits. Additionally, some people are sensitive to high concentrations of sodium.
So, what is the best way of getting sufficient sodium? Table salt (sodium chloride) is a good option. But you should get to know the correct amounts of salt that can be used in the foods and drinks you consume. Many luncheon meats, snack foods, and carbonated beverages have elevated sodium content. The body normally requires about 500 milligrams of sodium. Just by eating a variety of wholesome foods including vegetables you can easily reach this limit.
Many people consume more sodium than their body can handle. The human body can afford to handle up to 3000 milligrams of sodium. Excess salt is generally excreted through the urine. If the body receives too much sodium, more than it can handle, it can make you ill.
The best salt that contains all the nutrients your body needs in addition to sodium is the sea salt. It is ideal if you can use sea salt.
Jean Helmet is one of the editors at a collection of nutritional web sites, We offer a free health book for subscribers to our websites newsletter.