3 Ways To Use Salt For Healthier Living
This post was last updated on September 6th, 2022
According to legends, salt was more valuable than gold in ancient times, mainly because of its food preservation properties. It’s up to you whether to take this with a grain of salt or consider it a fact.
The truth remains that salt is a kitchen staple. But do you know that salts can do more than just add flavor to your daily meals?
Salt has many industrial applications. Pharmaceutical companies use it to produce saline solutions, while pool owners use it as water softeners. The garment industry utilizes it to let the dyes stick to clothes more effectively, and tissue makers use it in pulp bleaching.
Apart from the wildly popular table salt, there are other types that may help enhance our well-being. Discover the different kinds of edible and non-edible salts and the few reasons why they can be beneficial to your health:
5 Types of Salt
There are other types of salts available in the market today. They come in different sizes and colors and are mixed with many other things, such as this garlic salt.
Below are the most common types:
1. Iodized salt – The simple table salt is added with iodine, a mineral that regulates thyroid function and aids in cognitive processes.
2. Kosher salt – Also called rock salt or flake salt, it does not contain additives like iodine.
3. Sea salts – They come in big granules, which means they provide more flavor with less sodium content.
4. Himalayan Pink Salt – One of the healthier salts, they’re said to contain 84 essential minerals found in your body, including magnesium and potassium. They can be used as a food flavoring and for other applications, as you’ll find out later. Find out which is better pink salt vs sea salt.
5. Epsom salts – Also known for their scientific name as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts are rather more popular for their relaxing benefits.
Health Benefits of Salts
People have different taste preferences. Some may prefer a saltier taste, while others, for health reasons or otherwise, like their dishes to taste more neutral.
When consumed in moderation, salt can contribute to the body’s essential processes. These are a few of the many health benefits of salt:
- Promotes heart health
- Aids digestion
- Prevents dehydration
- Helps remove toxins
- Prevents iodine deficiency
- Can regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels
As with other things, though, it should be taken moderately, as taking too much can further aggravate health problems.
Ways That Salt Can Help You Live Healthier
1. Adopt A Low-Sodium Diet
There’s no universal recommendation for daily sodium intake, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised individuals to reduce salt consumption. The said agency further suggests individuals limit intake to 1,500 milligrams (mg) daily.
Older adults and those who are suffering from specific health problems are recommended to minimize salt consumption. The American Heart Association and The Institute of Medicine have set the safe salt intake to no more than 2,300 mg daily for healthy individuals. Those suffering from serious heart and kidney problems are advised to take 2,000 mg of salt at the maximum.
Ingesting too much sodium can exacerbate heart failure and kidney stones, while having too little can cause hyponatremia, which can result in damages to the muscular and nervous systems.
2. Use Epsom Salts
Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts are chemically composed of oxygen, magnesium, and sulfur.
- Oral intake – Epsom salts can be taken orally to relieve constipation. When ingested, Epsom will have a bitter taste. They should be taken in small amounts, as taking too much can cause serious side effects.
- Bath salts – You can mix Epsom with water for a relaxing bath that relieves pain, hastens muscle recovery, as well as relieves dry, scaly, and irritated skin.
- Facial wash – When mixed with your facial wash, Epsom can boost facial cleansing properties.
- Exfoliant – Simply rub on your face to encourage skin rejuvenation.
- Hair conditioner – Adding salt to your favorite hair product is said to boost volume and shine.
- Foot soak – Epsom is said to combat foot odors and athlete’s foot. Simply mix with water and soak your feet.
3. Consider Himalayan Salt
Himalayan pink salt is predominantly sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan. It’s the purest of all salts and can be used in various settings.
- Salt inhaler – They’re known to possess antimicrobial properties that cleanse and purify the respiratory system and sinuses.
- Salt sole – Mixing water with this type of salt releases the 84 minerals that can help the body in many ways, including pH level, blood sugar, and hormone regulation.
- Salt lamp – A must-have for those who want to reduce electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by electric appliances. These emissions are said to be harmful to the human body.
- Salt bath – Dissolving Himalayan salt in warm water for a bath soak. It has the same benefits as Epsom salt baths.
You can also use Himalayan salt instead of your regular table salt to enjoy its health benefits.
Conclusion
This kitchen staple is versatile enough to offer a wide array of health benefits. Keep these in mind and grab that salt shaker when you need a boost for your well-being.
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