We have all heard how bad salt is for you. Books have been written dedicated to low salt diets. The claims are that lower salt intake will alleviate or prevent hypertension or cardiovascular disease. But how true is it? Is salt really a problem? Recently, I read an article by Dr. Mercola on the benefits of salt. The distinction was made between sodium in many high processed foods and natural salt. Sodium is harmful to your health. Natural salt, as nature intended, is not only beneficial but essential to good health. Salt is essential for blood pressure regulation, brain-muscle communication, ion exchange, and transporting nutrients to cells.
Further studies have been done that conflict with the old adage that salt is harmful to your health. Those on low salt diets were not less likely to have hypertension or cardiovascular disease but more likely. You need to switch from processed sodium to natural salt in your diet. The study which everyone refers to that claims salt to be harmful to your health did not take into consideration or control fructose intake. Fructose is a main factor in developing heart disease. Fructose is a cause for hypertension not salt.
Benefits of salt:
First you must remember that the salt spoken of that has health benefits is unrefined natural salt. Salt from a common salt shaker or the salt on your pretzel or French fries is not created equal. The processing causes it to change and become harmful. However, natural salt has many benefits to your health including:
Transportation nutrients in and out of cells.
Blood pressure regulation
Keep those creative thoughts coming when you add a little salt since it increases the glial cells in your brain!
Needed in blood plasma, amniotic fluid and lymphatic fluid.
Don’t be afraid to sprinkle on some natural unrefined salt.
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