Why is salty food harmful? Proper muscle function. Depending on the grinding, several types are available

“I was tormented by hypertension, the doctor advised me to consume less salt. Is salt harmful or is it still necessary for the body? A. I. Vladimirsky, pensioner, disabled person of the 2nd group”

Let's say right away that scientists do not yet have a consensus on this matter. And therefore The best decision- do not lose your sanity and do not abuse this food additive, giving all dishes a more pronounced taste. It has been established that the daily salt requirement for humans is 4-6 grams. This is enough to support the processes in the body for which it is necessary.

But we absorb more salt than our body requires. And everyone could painlessly reduce its dose. True, it is impossible to do without salt completely. Sodium and chlorine - its components - are important nutrients, which help maintain fluid balance in the body.

Chlorine ions are necessary for the formation of hydrochloric acid V gastric juice, and sodium ions are an indispensable “part” for maintaining acid-base balance. They contribute to the emergence and conduction of electrical impulses in nerve cells, with their help, glucose and amino acids enter the blood and tissues.

Salt added to food accounts for 15% of the body's total sodium intake. Most of it (75%) comes from finished products. In a slice white bread contains 150 mg sodium per mug canned soup- 800 mg. There is a lot of salt in sausage and cheese. A person gets about 10% of sodium from raw foods. For example, just one stalk of celery contains 35 mg of sodium, a baked potato contains 15 mg, and a bell pepper contains 2 mg.

Situations in which salt intake should be limited are quite well known. This hypertonic disease, edema, kidney disease, as well as last months pregnancy. Excessively salty food can provoke migraines, worsen the condition when bronchial asthma. Those who suffer from hemorrhoids should not get carried away with salt, since its excess retains fluid in the body, which can cause local swelling of the veins and exacerbation of the disease.

However, salt is also priceless medicine. About her healing properties in Rus' they knew for a long time and in folk medicine used for many diseases. Here are some tips.

As an expectorant, it is useful to drink 0.5 glasses of water on an empty stomach, in which 0.5 teaspoons of soda and a pinch of salt are mixed.

At strong increase temperature, slices of pickled cucumbers should be applied to the forehead, back of the head and feet.

A bag of coarse hot salt can be used to provide warmth for chest pain and aching muscles.

For a laxative effect you should drink 4 glasses cucumber pickle during the day. The brine must be aged for at least a month.

For diarrhea and abdominal pain, you need to heat 1-1.5 kg of salt in a frying pan, pour it into a bag and place it on your stomach.

For bruises, compresses of salt and vinegar should be applied to the sore spot.

When stung by bees and wasps, apply a pinch of salt moistened with water to the bite site. This soothes pain and reduces swelling.

At severe runny nose It is recommended to rinse the nasopharynx more often with salt water - 0.5 teaspoon per glass warm water. This is exactly the concentration of salt that the blood has. Therefore, the solution does not irritate the mucous membrane. It helps clear the throat and vocal cords, eliminate problems arising from excess fluid in maxillary cavities. This rinsing prevents the spread of infection to the respiratory tract.

Salt like improvised means most widely used during the Great Patriotic War. In particular, experienced surgeons applied bandages with a salt solution to wounds, especially purulent ones. As a result, the wound quickly cleared and the temperature dropped. If a fighter had a fracture, then immediately after the salt bandage a plaster cast was applied to the damaged area, and the patient quickly recovered.

There are many scientists who claim that salt is harmful. We all know the phrase referring to salt - “white death”. But why is salt as harmful as they say? Until recently, it was believed that salt and especially its consumption in large quantities leads to the development of thrombosis, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. In fact, it has now turned out to be exactly the opposite: the lack of salt intake leads to just these diseases. This of course does not mean that you can eat salt uncontrollably.

In large quantities, it causes obesity due to the fact that it promotes water retention in the body. The daily salt intake is 3-7 grams. People who have gained weight due to high salt consumption, switching to consuming it in smaller quantities, quickly begin to lose weight and on average can lose 4–8 kg of excess weight.

Salt consumed in large quantities can cause serious illnesses such as kidney stones. This occurs due to a decrease in the solubility of the monosodium salt uric acid, which precipitates and forms stones in the urine excretion channels. Among other things, salt in large quantities causes swelling of body tissues and causes diseases of the kidneys, pancreas and heart.

Notice that we always talked about a lot of salt. It is the increased consumption, but what will happen if you use salt in normal quantity or give it up altogether? Read on.

Why is salt needed?

Salt is a natural product for the body of any earthly creature. After all, life originated in the sea and creatures initially had free access to as much salt as they needed. Having reached land, the animals began to adapt and gain necessary salt from food. And man is no exception here. We discuss all this in order to understand that salt is vital necessary element. Our body contains about 300 grams of sodium chloride (salt). It is found in significant concentrations in the blood, plasma and is excreted in urine, sweat and tears. And if this supply begins to decrease due to insufficient consumption, this leads to disorders nervous system, heart and vascular diseases, fainting, poor wound healing, increased blood cholesterol, etc.

Conclusion: we discussed the harm of salt and came to the conclusion that you should not consume it in excess of the norm, but it is also not reasonable to give it up completely. Both entail Negative consequences for our body in the form various diseases. What types of salt are best to consume, and what benefits does it provide? Read on -

Today we cannot even imagine eating food without salt. It gives a certain taste, which makes us enjoy eating. Have you ever wondered how it affects a person, his body? How many benefits does it have, except taste qualities or harm?

Should we replace the food type we are used to with sea food, for example? In this article we will look at all aspects of food and sea ​​salt and its effect on our body.

The very concept of salt

Table or table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl) – chemical element. This is a component that is extracted in nature, and then undergoes processing, after which it arrives on our table in crushed form. It is important for the body.

She plays an important role in metabolic processes, helps in the production and secretion of gastric juice, in muscle function, and can also help normalize blood pressure, if it is not abused. But its excessive consumption can cause irreparable harm human health, and recovery will be long and difficult.

Necessary needs of the body

The daily requirement is approximately 5 grams (teaspoon). Typically, the average person eats about 8 grams per day. This amount can already be harmful to health. Did you know that if you eat 2 grams per kilogram of weight ( table salt), then this can lead to fatal outcome? True, such tests have not been carried out in the world.
So, what harm does salt cause to our body when it is abused?

Harm of salt to the body

It is not recommended to completely abandon it, although in some situations, for example, a formed stomach ulcer, gastritis in the acute stage, high blood pressure, it is still worth giving up for a short period of time or replacing food with sea food.

The lack of its entry into the body entails an effect on nerve cells, reduces their activity, reduces the production of hormones, including insulin, which is very important for the healthy functioning of the body. It can also lead to diseases of the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular system). That is, there is a very fine line here: too much is bad, but too little is also bad.

Digestive system

With high salt consumption, the gastric mucosa begins to be irritated, the production of gastric juice increases, which in turn leads to the formation of erosions, resulting in gastritis and gastric ulcer (peptic ulcer).
CVS (cardiovascular system):
Upon entering the body large quantity, its crystals are deposited in tissues and on the walls of blood vessels. The need for fluid increases. Swelling appears. The load on the heart and blood vessels increases. This can lead to thinning of the heart muscle, thrombosis of blood vessels, as the pressure in them increases, and an increase in fatty tissue, both subcutaneous and on organs, which in turn increases blood pressure. Just as it has been proven by American and Australian scientists, salt crystals can be deposited in the lens of the eye and it becomes cloudy over time, which leads to cataracts. Vision can deteriorate even further if cataracts are accompanied by high blood pressure.

Nervous system

High levels of salts in the body can lead to stroke, which can lead to death. This occurs due to the compaction of the walls of the brain vessels with crystals and the subsequent formation of blood clots, since some areas of the vessels narrow, the pressure in the bloodstream increases, which increases intracranial pressure and blood clots form.

Joints

Everyone knows that diseases of the articular system occur for three reasons:

1. Congenital anomalies,
2. Injuries,
3. Salt deposits.

Perhaps you have ever noticed a creaking or crunching sound when squatting. This happens when intra-articular fluid becomes low, but the tissue around the joint begins to swell. This is a consequence of salt deposition, which can greatly affect your health as you age. I suffer from all my joints, not just my knees. For most people, the cervical region is primarily affected. In the area of ​​the seventh cervical vertebra Quite significant tissue swelling appears, and when you turn your head to the sides, an unpleasant sound appears. Many are trying to cure this disease with the help of massage, but it in turn removes the symptom, rather than treating the underlying problem. Because of this, a person notices only temporary improvement. Salt deposition in cervical spine, also entails an increase in blood pressure.

Very important point: in such situations with joints, the risk of injury, specifically fractures, increases.

We have looked at the harm of salt in detail, let's talk about the benefits.

Types and benefits of salt

Today you can find several varieties in stores.
Stone
This is a type of table salt that has not been fully processed, it has not been crushed to the level of small crystals, so it is sold in small pieces irregular shape. Mined in natural conditions through natural processing.
Iodized

Table salt to which iodine elements are added. Used for disease prevention thyroid gland, as well as in case of existing illness.
Cooked
This is the same rock salt that has undergone additional processing, crushed and bleached.
Sea salt
The richest in microelements. It is this that doctors recommend replacing cookware with.

In sea salt you can see almost the entire periodic table, which is not present in other varieties. This is the essence of its benefit to us. Sea salt is also mined in natural conditions and is practically not processed in any way, so as not to destroy the beneficial substances for the body. Let us remember that for many diseases, doctors advise us to relax on the shores of the salty seas. Why? Firstly, sea ​​baths very useful for skin diseases, they contribute to its elasticity, smoothness, heal and disinfect wounds. Penetrating through skin covering micro and macroelements enter the bloodstream, first into small capillaries, then into large vessels and promote the breakdown of plaques. Sea salt has a beneficial effect on stabilizing blood pressure and normalizing fluid circulation in the body. One total benefit. But, as in any situation, you should never overdo it, since this variety has its own limitations.
Conclusion
There is a wonderful expression: “We are what we eat.” So let's eat right, choosing the best from what is offered, and then we can live a long and healthy life!

Table salt is one of the substances that the human body cannot do without. In ancient times, it was literally worth its weight in gold; its shortage even led to popular unrest. In the old days, salt was extremely expensive because its extraction was very labor-intensive.

We all know how to treat salt with respect folk wisdom- how many sayings have we heard about her? And salted vegetables are practically our national dish.

However, with the light hand of Paul Bragg, salt was dubbed the “white death”, and this stereotype has been with us for more than 50 years. So where is the truth? Is salt good or bad? Let's figure it out.

Why do we need salt?

The importance of salt for humans is very great - almost everyone knows this. A person cannot do without salt, since it is table salt, the basis of which is sodium chloride, that restores impaired metabolism, acid-base balance in the body, maintains an optimal fluid level, including blood volume, preventing dehydration. As you can see, the benefits of salt are obvious. But not everything is so simple...

What happens when there is not enough salt...

IN last decades There are persistent disputes between supporters of salt and its opponents, who call salt “white death.”
However, it is known that with a lack of sodium chloride in the body (with consumption of less than 0.5 g per day), loss of appetite, taste of food, stomach cramps, nausea, increased flatulence, lowering blood pressure, increased fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness up to the appearance of seizures, memory impairment and decreased immunity, deterioration of skin and hair.

...And when there is a lot

However, with excessive consumption of salt, and salt is also found in food products, from vegetables and fruits to bread, mushrooms and various canned foods (especially a lot of salt in sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers, pickled herring), fluid retention occurs in the body.

The consequence of excess salt in the body is swelling of the face and legs, decreased kidney function, their overload, increased blood pressure (which is especially dangerous in hypertension grades 11-111), increased intracranial and intraocular pressure(which is especially dangerous with glaucoma, as it can lead to blindness) - increased excitability nervous system, thirst, frequent urination, increased sweating.

How much salt can you eat?

Submitted by WHO ( World Organization health), you can eat about 2-3 g per day without harm to your health, which is less than a teaspoon. But modern man On average, he consumes 12-13 g of salt per day.

Who does salt harm?

Salt, or rather its excess, can harm people with kidney disease, gout, arterial hypertension, obesity and oncology, women during menopause and postmenopause.

Let's consider the main statements about the benefits and harms of salt.

What are they accusing her of? But are all the accusations against salt justified? Let's list the main myths about the benefits and harms of salt.

People who eat a lot of salty foods are at risk of developing hypertension.

It is believed that the sodium contained in the salt can increase blood pressure. But whether salt provokes hypertension is a big question.
This disease develops with age. It often affects heavy smokers, people who abuse alcohol, those who are obese, and those who are constantly under stress. And, as American scientists recently found out, only 30-40% of those who love salty foods.

Still, you shouldn’t overuse salt. Excess sodium increases the excitability of the nervous system and reduces bone density, making them brittle (with age, this can lead to osteoporosis).
The heart and kidneys do not like salt - for those who have chronic diseases these organs, it is necessary to limit its consumption.

Salt is a drug, it is impossible to refuse it.

One of the most interesting works, on the effects of salt on the brain, was published in 2008 by researchers at the University of Iowa. The authors believe that salt is one of many substances that become dangerous when a certain dose is exceeded. Rats deprived of salt. they felt irritated, but as soon as they were pampered with salty food again, they showed cheerfulness and good mood.

However, this does not mean that salt cannot be avoided. Scientists observed women and men who had to reduce their salt intake by half. The first weeks did not bring results.
And then slow but important changes began. The subjects did not stop loving salt and did not lose the ability to feel salty taste. On the contrary, the receptors in the mouth responsible for the perception of salt have become more sensitive.

But to enjoy food, much less salt was now required! After 12 weeks of such a diet, the experiment participants were allowed to salt their food again, but they began to consume only 20% of the usual amount of salt.

But in general, the transition from generously salted food to lightly salted food is oh so difficult - due to the blandness of the food. Maybe that’s why the hand is reaching out to substitutes. It is better to choose one of two options:

Or gradually limit yourself to salt, reducing its amount every day,
. or reduce the amount of salt at once, and eliminate the blandness by adding salty foods: garlic, horseradish, onions of all kinds, radish, parsley, dill, cranberry, pomegranate or orange juice.

Homemade food contains the most salt. We add salt to it all the time.

This seems logical. There is a salt shaker in every home; it stands in the center of the dining table; it is passed on to each other during meals and left in sight after dinner as a symbol of the future meal.
But how then can we explain the fact that women eat about a teaspoon of salt a day, and teenagers and men over forty eat two?

American researchers from the Monell Center gathered a group of 62 people - lovers of salty food - and gave them salt shakers, which they had to use at home for a week. Salt volumes were measured. Participants in the experiment were also asked to carefully record everything they would drink and eat. To improve the reliability of the reports, the researchers used salt with an isotopic tracer (tagged atom) that was easy to detect in urine. Regular tests showed the exact amount of salt consumed from the salt shakers.

At the end of the week, scientists studied the data obtained. Sodium from natural sources amounted to slightly more than 10% of the total weekly volume. And the share of salt shakers was... only 6%! Where does another 80-odd percent come from? From semi-finished products that the experiment participants bought in regular supermarkets! Manufacturers don’t just add salt to them, they literally pour bags of it into pizza, ketchup and sauces.

To really reduce the amount of salt in your diet, you will have to give up ready-made food. But it’s better not to throw away the salt shaker. If you prepare dishes without any salt at all, but add salt to the food at the table, much less salt will enter your body. After all, it goes directly to the taste buds, creating the impression that the food is much saltier than it actually is.

For the food industry, salt is a real treasure. It greatly increases the attractiveness of products.

This is true. Cornflakes have without it metallic taste, the crackers seem undercooked, the ham resembles rubber. In bakeries, salt protects the huge, fast-running machines from clogging. It slows down the process of dough rising, and due to this, the ovens cope with production volumes. She fights rancid taste! It occurs as a result of the oxidation of fats in meat during the preparation of semi-finished products.

By the way, salt is not the only source of sodium in semi-finished products. Thanks to sodium citrate, sodium phosphate and sodium acid pyrophosphate ready food It looks better, tastes better and lasts longer.

Our body does not need salt. This is nothing more than a flavoring additive.

It is impossible to do without salt completely. Its components - sodium and chlorine - help maintain water balance. Chlorine ions are necessary for the formation of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, and sodium ions are irreplaceable for maintaining acid-base balance. They contribute to the emergence and conduction of electrical impulses in nerve cells, with their help glucose and amino acids enter the blood and tissues.

In addition, you will still eat salt, even if you give up processed foods and canned foods. Sodium is found in vegetables and greens. For example, one stalk of celery contains 35 mg of sodium, a baked potato contains 15 mg, and one bell pepper contains 2 mg.

Which salt to choose.

Marine is one of the most useful types; it is obtained by evaporation sea ​​water, which has a rich set of minerals: in addition to sodium chloride, it contains salts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, bromine, and it is also rich in iodine and contains about 50 other trace elements necessary for our body. Moreover, it is better to choose unrefined sea salt, since it will contain more microelements.

Rock salt is essentially the same sea salt, only not from modern, but from ancient seas, existing in sediments. It has a milder taste and is suitable for preparing first and second courses.

Table salt is produced from rock salt by evaporating it. It is much less useful for the body, since during the evaporation process all useful microelements are removed from it. Unfortunately, it also has the ability to retain water in the body, making it difficult to lose weight.

Cooking "Estra" is a purified salt that contains virtually nothing other than sodium chloride. This salt is most often filled into a salt shaker and used to add salt to prepared dishes.
It has a sharper taste.

This is the most “salty” type of salt, since it contains almost nothing except pure sodium chloride. All additional microelements (usually useful) are destroyed as a result of evaporation of water from it and subsequent cleaning with soda.

This is the least useful look salt - and for weight loss, too, because “extra” salt contributes to fluid retention in the body more than other salts.

Salt of the 1st and 2nd grade contains more trace elements, and it is more useful.

Iodized salt is obtained artificially potassium iodide into pure table salt. It is recommended for diseases of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), but it is prohibited for people with hyperthyroidism. It has limited period storage and is not suitable for pickling or pickling vegetables (they soften). There is no additional value for weight loss.

Not everyone knows this, but the shelf life of such salt is usually limited to 9 months.

Black salt is a natural, unrefined salt. Rich in microelements: iodine, sulfur, iron, potassium, etc. constant use acts as a mild laxative, slightly improves digestion. Due to the large amount of microelements, it retains less fluid in the body than other types of salt. Black salt is usually not in active demand due to the rather high price, firstly, and bad taste, Secondly.

Pink Himalayan salt contains about 84 macro- and microelements and is extremely beneficial. Everything is good except the price.

Treat with table salt...

With uncontrollable vomiting, toxicosis: dissolve 1 tsp. table salt(without slide) 0.5 l boiled water. Drink 1 tbsp. l. cool solution at short intervals.

At food poisoning : dissolve 2 tbsp. l. table salt in 1 liter of warm boiled water and let the victim drink 2-3 tbsp. this solution. As a rule, after 2 tbsp. the urge to vomit will begin, and after the third, the contents of the stomach will be expelled without difficulty.

At severe diarrhea : 2 tsp. Dissolve table salt in 1 liter of boiled water. Drink all liquids to replenish lost fluids and minerals to avoid dehydration.

For diarrhea: 2 tsp. dissolve salts in 100 ml of water (half a glass). Take two sips of this solution, repeat after 2 hours.

For sore throat, colds, tonsillitis: dissolve 1 tsp. salt in 1 tbsp. warm boiled water and gargle several times a day (the more often the better). You can add 1-2 drops of iodine.

For periodontal disease: dip a damp toothbrush in fine salt and brush your teeth with it every morning.

For dry scalp eczema: Rub dry table salt into your scalp for 15 minutes.
Then wash off the remaining salt warm water. Do the procedures 2 times a week. The course of treatment is 3-4 weeks. During this treatment, refrain from using shampoo, hair dryer, hair styling products!

At colds : Place some salt in a cotton bag and heat it on a radiator or in a frying pan. Apply hot to the wings of the nose. It is also useful to apply heated bags of salt to the soles of your feet.

At fungal infection feet: dissolve 1 tbsp. l. table salt in 1 glass of water. Wash your feet saline solution daily.

For suppuration near the fingernail or toenail: dilute 2 tbsp. l. table salt in 1 glass of hot water. Place your finger in hot solution, hold for 20-25 minutes. Do the procedures 2 times a day.

For toenail fungus(onychomycosis): dissolve 1 tbsp. l. salt in 1 tbsp. water. Soak gauze in this solution and apply it to the sore nail, hold until the gauze dries completely. Do the procedures daily. The treatment is long-term.

If you are overweight: dissolve 500 g of salt in 0.5 volume of a bath with warm water, stir, then add the rest of the water. Take a bath at a temperature of 25-30°C for 15 minutes, an hour before bedtime, 2-3 times a week. The course of treatment is 8-10 baths.

We treat with sea salt.

With a sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, sore throat: 1 tsp. Dissolve sea salt in 1 glass of warm water and use this solution to gargle several times a day.

For severe bruises, bruises, contusions: 2 tbsp. l. Dissolve sea salt in 1 glass of cool water. Soak a piece of clean napkin or bandage in the solution and apply to the affected area for 2-3 hours.

At vegetative-vascular dystonia, insomnia, neurasthenia: do rubdowns in the morning cool water with sea salt dissolved in it at the rate of 3 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt per 1 liter of water.

Baths with sea salt are useful for decreased immunity, metabolic disorders, hypothyroidism, diseases of the joints and spine (rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, gout), as well as for cellulite and skin diseases allergic nature(psoriasis, seborrhea, neurodermatitis, eczema, vitiligo, diathesis), increased nervousness, insomnia, stress, atherosclerosis.

Before taking a bath with sea salt, be sure to wash with soap.

Then take a bath of warm water (35-37°C) and add sea salt to it.

For a relaxing and cosmetic bath, 250-300 g of salt is enough. For medicinal baths the concentration needs to be increased to 500-1000 g of salt.

After salt baths don't rinse clean water and do not rub the body, but simply pat the skin with a towel, since the beneficial substances of sea salt will continue to work for 1.5-2 hours.

Baths with sea salt are contraindicated for benign and malignant tumors, grade 2-3 hypertension, arrhythmia, tachycardia, fungal and purulent skin diseases, exacerbation of infectious and other diseases, pregnancy.

Salt and cosmetics.

To strengthen nails: 2 tbsp. l. Dissolve sea salt in 0.5 liters of warm water. Make baths for your fingertips for 15-20 minutes. in one day.

Or: cut off the top of a juicy lemon with pulp, sprinkle the pulp a small amount
sea ​​salt and dip your fingertips into the pulp for 10 minutes. Rinse it off lemon juice water and pat dry with a towel. Do the procedures daily, for about a week.
In this case, you should not use decorative varnish.

For oily facial skin prone to acne: 1 tbsp. l. pour 2-3 tbsp of sea salt. spoons of water with baby soap dissolved in it (to make soapy water), apply the mixture to face light using massaging movements, being careful not to injure the skin. Keep for 2 minutes, rinse with cool water. Repeat the procedures 2-3 times a week.

It is useful to wash your face in the morning with water and a small amount of sea salt (about 2 tsp per 0.5 liter of water).

Salt mask to accelerate hair growth.

1 tsp. Dissolve sea salt in 2 tbsp. l. water, then add 0.5 tbsp. warmed kefir and 1 whipped egg yolk. Gently apply the mixture to your hair and rub into your scalp, then wrap your head in a towel, hold for half an hour, and rinse with warm water.

Cleansing mask for skin.

Mix 1 tsp. baking soda and sea salt (ground in a coffee grinder). Moisten problem areas of facial skin hot water, also moisten with water cotton swab, dip it in the mixture and apply it to problem areas of the skin, avoiding strong pressure on the skin. Keep the mixture for about 10-12 minutes. Then wash your face with cool water and apply moisturizer to your face. Do this mask once a week.

Mask for oily skin faces.

Mix fine sea salt and honey, apply the mixture to your face, keep for 15-18 minutes. Remove any remaining mixture with a cotton pad, then wash with cool water. The mask vitaminizes, cleanses the skin and tightens pores. Do it 2-3 times a week.

Salt and weight loss.

We have already said that many types of willpower are capable of retaining water in the body and this makes it difficult to lose weight.

Therefore, the so-called salt-free diets, in which salt consumption is sharply limited, have become widespread.

Indeed, in this way you can lose weight quite quickly by reducing the amount of water in the body - many people who are losing weight give up salt altogether. But with this radical method losing weight, in addition to water, vital elements are also removed from the body, including sodium, chlorine, potassium, and magnesium. On salt-free diet you can quickly lose weight in just a few days, but not for long, this weight will soon return (okay, if without weight gain) - after all, fluid in organs and tissues is quickly restored. Moreover, this imaginary weight loss can lead to deficiency useful microelements with all the ensuing troubles of metabolic disorders.

However, there really is a rational grain in all this. Those who want to lose weight should remember one more insidious property of salt: excessively salty snacks stimulate the appetite, and hence overeating, leading to excess weight- an unpleasant burden on the entire body, primarily on cardiovascular system and on the musculoskeletal system.

It has long been noticed that after salty dishes we are drawn to fatty and sweet foods. That is why some restaurants cleverly serve salty snacks, so that after them the visitor will certainly order something “dense”, and then also confectionery.

If you are used to adding salt to your dishes during meals, try giving up salt altogether when cooking. And as flavoring additives for food or salad dressings, use fresh or dried herbs and spices. Pickles, marinades, corned beef and smoked meats should be included in your diet last place. For example, bouillon cubes contain on average about 60% salt per unit weight, smoked salmon - 5%, sauerkraut— 2%. And when using ready-made seasonings and sauces, you need to pay attention to the label, which indicates the salt content. So, for example, know that soy sauce is mixed with table salt, and it cannot be a substitute for it.

Thus, for salt, as for many other products and useful substances There is Golden Rule: everything is good in moderation. Then the benefits of salt are guaranteed to you.

Salt - meaning, benefits and harm to the body

Salt significantly improves the taste of food, so a salt shaker is an indispensable item on the table. It is used not only by housewives when preparing a dish, but also by those who want to add additional salt to their food. Most people do this without thinking about how harmful salt is. Meanwhile, regular excess daily dose this spice entails serious consequences, significantly worsening the quality of life.

Salt is a source of controversy

It is difficult for any person to imagine many culinary recipes without salt, because this product is one of the most common spices. But, nevertheless, the “salt shaker of discord” is well known among doctors. Many experts often call salt (sodium chloride) white death, while others, on the contrary, defend the opposite point of view, considering this additive useful.

When understanding why salt is harmful, you need to take into account that salt is harmful to human body appears only when exceeded daily norm- from 6 to 10 g. Please note: it is very easy to exceed the dose, because we not only add this spice to our food ourselves - it is included in many common products.

Unexpected occurrence serious illnesses is often due to the fact that healthy people people are rarely interested in the harm caused by excessive salt consumption. If there is excess sodium chloride:

• Fluid is not removed from the body, as a result of which the heart muscle is stressed, and hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases begin;
• deposits form in the joints, causing them to lose flexibility and mobility, weather dependence appears, and osteoporosis may develop;
• The body uses fluid to try to cleanse clogged salts. bone tissue– swelling occurs;
• The mucous membrane of the stomach is constantly irritated - this causes gastritis, peptic ulcer, malignant tumors stomach;
• taste buds get used to the rich salty taste, so reducing spice consumption will become quite difficult: the brain will not perceive less seasoned food as satisfactory;
• appetite increases, which leads to the problem of excess weight;
• provokes an increase in fat deposits;
• hypocalcemia develops;
• bronchial asthma worsens;
• the functioning of the excretory organs is disrupted;
• the solubility of the uric acid salt decreases, which creates a sediment that forms stones in the urinary canals;
• blood circulation is impaired due to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques;
• blood vessels in the brain become clogged with blood clots, which can cause a stroke;
• there are disruptions in thermoregulation and the functioning of the endocrine system;
• Undissolved salt crystals can damage tooth enamel.

Many of those who care about their health, having learned how harmful salt is, decide to replace the usual culinary variety with sea salt. Answering the question whether sea salt is harmful, we have to disappoint you. The harm of excess sea salt is also very noticeable. After all, the composition of this variety differs from the product we are used to only in that it contains additional microelements. Therefore, when consuming sea salt, do not forget: in addition to all the listed consequences of an overdose of the spice, additional unpleasant surprises. They are associated with an excess of minerals included in this product:

• salt deposits form faster and more intensely, because calcium salts are most often deposited in the body;
• the risk of developing glaucoma due to increased intraocular pressure increases;
• Cataracts may develop - clouding of the lens of the eye.

Knowing the harm caused by sea salt, do not forget to adhere to the daily intake of this supplement – ​​6 g.

Should we say goodbye to salt?

Supporters complete failure from salt they often become victims of their recklessness. After all, this supplement is necessary to maintain water-salt balance and normal functioning of the body as a whole.

If you are used to salting your food too generously, then do not exceed permissible norm spices, its product can be replaced:

• dried chopped garlic;
• a mixture of herbs;
• lemon juice.

Such natural alternatives will not only help you wean yourself from excessive salt consumption, but will also bring great benefit thanks to its rich vitamin composition.