Salt is rapidly becoming more popular, as more and more people are learning about all the health benefits that the salt has to offer. If you are under the impression that salt is just another way to decrease your health and add to your waistline, then you should know there are benefits to adding a little salt to your diet. Salt plays a role in water retention, muscle contraction, and contains nutrients that are vital to your stomach. Salt in moderation is actually very important to your diet.
Without salt and water we could not act or think. Salt also triggers the production of saliva, the gastric juices and is essential for good food digestion. Our body requires a daily intake of pure, natural salt as well as water to build our cells and maintain a healthy body. Unprocessed salt promotes healthy cell growth and maintains the electrolyte balance inside and outside of the cells.
Consuming high levels of sodium can have many negative health effects, such as increased blood pressure and heart complications. Still, moderate amounts of sodium -- which meet the recommendations of health experts -- have some health advantages, like keeping the body functioning properly. The amount of sodium you should consume daily varies, however, based on a number of health factors.
Our Bodies Need Salt
We all know our bodies are made up of mostly water, but did you know it’s actually salt water, with a very similar composition to the ocean? That’s why when someone is ill, they receive a saline, or salt-water, solution, directly into their bloodstream. Salt Helps Retain Water in the Body.
Our bodies rely on electrolytes, including salt, to help carry out electrical impulses that control many of our bodies’ functions. To keep our bodies functioning as they should, our bodies need the proper amount of electrolytes. Electrolytes trigger thirst mechanism, which cause us to consume adequate amounts of water. With this water, our kidneys are able to keep the appropriate amount of electrolytes in our bloodstream. The amount of water our bodies retain also impact blood pressure.
Think about it: a lot of bars and restaurants provide complimentary salty snacks. Why? They make you thirsty and wanting to purchase more drinks!
Salt Stimulates Muscle Contraction
Salt is important to the nerves, as it stimulates muscle contraction; this will also help prevent your muscles from cramping. Salt also keeps calcium and other minerals in the bloodstream. It also stimulates the adrenal glands. Salt is also very important in the prevention of heat prostration and sunstroke, which is very important to remember during hot summer months.
Salt Contains Nutrients Vital to the Digestive System
Salt plays a primary role in the processes of digestion and absorption. Salt activates an enzyme in the mouth called salivary amylase. At this point, the salt allows your taste buds to taste the food. Salt also plays a role in digestion by helping to break down food. Salt also creates hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a very important digestive secretion, which lines the stomach walls. Salt actually helps your body digest food, rather than trying to eat itself.
A Lack of Salt Is Dangerous
A sodium deficiency is a health condition where a body fails to receive an adequate supply of sodium. Sodium deficiency can become extremely prevalent in excessive temperatures, which cause the body to perspire heavily and patterns of dehydration will set in. Sodium deficiency can lead to shock if the blood pressure is decreased too severely. Salt is important to good nutritional status. Too little can cause disturbances in tissue-water and acid-base balance, which is important to good nutrition.
Recommendations
Table salt is 40 percent sodium, and the most common dietary source of it. One teaspoon of table salt contains 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the recommended maximum intake of sodium per healthy adult per day, according to government nutrition experts. Individuals with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams daily. Keep in mind that many foods, especially processed and prepared foods, contain high levels of sodium. People with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and kidney disease might require significantly lower amounts of sodium.
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Sodium is essential in small quantities but can cause serious, longterm health problems when consumed in excess.
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Remember, diets too high in sodium can lead to high water retention and hypertension. Overall, salt is generally nontoxic to adults, provided it is excreted properly. The maximum amount of sodium that should be incorporated into a healthy diet should range from 2,400-3,000 mg/day.
Sources
http://www.fitday.com/
www.healthyeating.com
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