Salt is one of the six major taste buds. In American society our taste buds are most influenced by salty and sweet. The two greatest substances that cause food addiction are: salt and sugar. Almost all pre-processed foods are loaded with both salt and sugar. Why do you think we are addicted to fast food, soda and chips? They are all loaded with both salt and sugar!
Your body does not require salt. I will say that again...your body does not require salt. Too much salt is what makes your blood pressure go up. Eating foods with too much salt or adding additional salt to your food can aggravate kidney problems, and cause water retention (edema). Salt will also tax the liver and therefore cause reddening of the eyes.
I am not saying that you should get rid of salt all together, unless of course your doctor advises you too. I am still going to use salt in moderation, but more importantly I have thrown out the Morton bleached out, iodized salt with 79 of it's natural minerals removed to a healthier alternative-sea salt.
Your body does require sodium. Salt and sodium are not the same thing. Sodium is one of the eight alkaline minerals and one of the minerals that can be found in nature.
We need sodium for proper health, especially to balance our sodium-potassium balance levels.
Sodium is a great hydrator. Sodium helps us to hold and properly use water (think sports drinks).
Sodium is also important for proper muscle fundtion. Too little sodium can lead to poor muscle function in addition to an imbalance in your blood's PH levels.
Let's talk about Morton's table salt since that is the most highly consumed salt in America. This salt is sodium chloride that mimics salt in taste and function, however this and other commercial salt's contain over 30 synthetic chemicals, such as sodium solo-co-aluminate, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium iodide, which are all chemical additives that make the salt flow easily from the box. Remember the commercial "pours even when it rains"? well now you know why.
What about sea salt? sea salt is the salt nature produces in water and if you must use salt, sea salt is the best. You must also be careful about what kind of sea salt you use. If the sea salt is bleached and iodized, skip it. We have all been taught that the reason iodine is added to salt is to prevent goiter's. Well the truth of the matter is that there is not enough iodine in a serving of salt to prevent goiter's.
To satisfy your body's sodium mineral requirement, consume celery
. Celery is the best vegetable to lower high blood pressure naturally!
Natural sea salt is not white in color, but rather a light brown to pink in color. You can tell real sea salt from fake sea salt by putting some in a glass of water and letting it sit overnight. Real sea salt dissolves. Fake sea salt does not.
To maintain your sodium potassium balance, drink a glass of water with a pinch of sea salt and apple-cider vinegar. If you do not like apple-cider vinegar you can drink 4-8 ounces of apple and celery juice.
