Salt makes our food taste better and even more importantly, it plays a crucial role in maintaining our health.
It is the main source of sodium and chloride ions in our daily diet.
The human body can't live without sodium. It's needed to transmit nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle fibers (including those in the heart and blood vessels), and maintain a proper fluid balance. It doesn't take much to do this.
There are two choices when it come to salt, Table salt and sea salt.
Table salt is mined from salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture so it’s easier to mix and use in recipes. This processing strips table salt of any minerals, bleaches it and potentially harmful additives are used to prevent clumping. They also add iodine to table salt.
Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of seawater. It undergoes minimal processing, and therefore retains trace levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and other nutrients. However, it does not contain iodine.
Using sea salt allows you to avoid the potentially harmful additives and get some very important trace minerals into your body. If you do use sea salt remember your body also needs iodine so make sure you are getting that into your diet through fish, shrimp, seaweed, or cheese. I personally use sea salt.
Himalayan Pink
These salts come from ancient seabeds in the Himalayan mountains. Their pink color comes from their rich iron content. This salt is, in fact, quite rich in minerals, containing all 84 essential trace elements required by your body. Pink salt can assist in many bodily functions, such as reducing muscle cramps, promoting blood sugar health and promoting healthy pH in your cells.
Many experts recommend pink salt as one of the healthiest salts you can consume. Its popularity has made it more affordable than other more exotic salts on the market.
Which every salt you use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day—that's equal to about 1 teaspoon of salt per day!