Salt is often called the “white death”, and not without reason, because its excessive consumption can lead to various diseases. However, in moderation, it is an integral part of the diet and an important element for the normal functioning of the body.. Despite the negative associations, most people still eat salty foods on a daily basis, and there is a reason for this.

Since ancient times, salt has been used to preserve food, since it was not possible to store them at low temperatures.. Gradually, people began to get used to the salty taste, and it became part of their eating habits.. Over the years, salt has been an important ingredient in preserving food and making it more palatable..

However, modern research shows that excess salt in the body can be harmful.. With normal metabolism, a healthy body is able to excrete up to 25 g of salt per day in urine and then. If salt intake exceeds this norm, the residues can accumulate in the body, leading to various diseases such as edema, hypertension and other disorders..

That being said, there are a number of foods that can help balance your salt intake.. For example, potassium salt, contained in honey, cucumbers, carrots and bananas, helps remove excess fluid and relieve swelling. It is important to remember that the cells of the body need not only salt, but also other trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Their deficiency can lead to various diseases such as osteoporosis, metabolic disorders and others..

Special attention should be paid to a salt-free diet. There is an opinion that when sweating, the body loses salt, and it needs to be replenished with salty foods.. This is a fallacy. Even when avoiding salt, people get it from foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products. For example, 100 g of beets contains about 260 mg of salt, and potatoes - 30 mg. Therefore, a salt-free diet does not imply a complete exclusion of salt, but only a refusal to add it to food.

In addition, it is worth distinguishing between regular table salt and its more natural forms, such as rock and sea salt.. These salts contain essential microelements such as magnesium and calcium, which have a beneficial effect on the body.. While refined table salt consists only of sodium chloride, which makes it less healthy. Countries such as Spain and Japan use sea salt, and this is one of the factors why diseases related to the cardiovascular system and cancer are less common there..

It is important to remember that salt intake should be balanced. For a healthy person, the optimal norm is 4-6 g per day, and for people with hypertension - no more than 1 g. Lack of salt can lead to cramps, fatigue and other health problems, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet.

Thus, salt, like any other element in our diet, should be used with caution. Too much salt is just as bad as too little salt, so getting the right amount is key to staying healthy.

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