Table salt, sea salt or natural salt are common names for salt available in grocery stores around the world. It is a necessary good for human survival, a small amount of sodium conducts nerve impulses, contracts and relaxes muscles and maintains the proper balance of water and minerals in our bodies. Luckily it is a tasty seasoning for meals and a great food preservative, since bacteria can’t thrive in high amounts of salt.
3 myths about salt
Sea salt is healthier than table salt!
Sea salt is derived from the sea. Sea water consists of minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium. Since sea salt is based on natural ingredients, manufacturers of potato chips for example love to add sea salt to their products. Unfortunately most brands of sea salt contain tiny plastic particles, which are a product of water pollution of the sea, according to a study from 2018. Are these plastic particles harmful? The impact is not known yet, but it can’t be healthy.
Salt is harmful to human bodies!
Salt, also known as sodium chloride, consists of 40% sodium and 60 % chloride. It is estimated that a human body needs 500mg of sodium daily for a vital function. Too much sodium in a diet can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Another cause is calcium losses, which can be pulled from the bones. The average salt consumption nowadays is between 800-1200 mg salt, which is far too much and harmful. Salt in general is not harmful, on the contrary, it is essential for the human body. But if salt is consumed in high doses it can be life-threatening.
Cooking home-made meals reduces the most salt intake!
It is always a good idea to cook food at home because choosing own ingredients can help cutting down on salt but it doesn’t stop you from eating-out or choosing products high in salt. Processed food contains the highest amount of salt. To preserve ready-made meals, manufacturers have to use additives and salt for their products. To reduce the most salt intake , processed food and products high in sodium should be avoided. To name a few food products that are high in salt and should be eaten carefully are : Olives, canned meat, bacon, cheese spreads, pizza, self-rising flour, canned soup, anchovies, pickled vegetables, soya sauce.
Plates Of Colour 