The Egyptians and Romans made salt rubs by massaging a combination of salt, herbs as well as natural oils in the body to cleanse and refresh....
health
Salt is a core ingredient of various dishes that infuses a specific flavour to food. You cannot do without a sprinkle of those snowy flakes that can totally transform your dish and bring out true flavours. In a simple language, finely powdered salt (table salt) is an essential part of cooking. Salt is the common name for sodium chloride (or NaCl). It consists of 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Salt is good for us. Salt is available in a variety of colours and textures to enhance your cooking experience and make your dishes more savoury. Some salts are considered healthier than others, such as pink Himalayan salt and different types of sea salt. Sodium is necessary for preventing dehydration, for proper transmission of nerve impulses and for normal functioning of cells.
Salt was considered to have been part of a Roman soldier’s wages, and ancient governments controlled its movement. Due to the high demand in ancient civilizations, salt was heavily taxed, traded, and even used as a form of currency. France only ended its unpopular salt tax, begun in 1286, in 1790. Salt has been utilised for centuries to cleanse, soften as well as treat the skin as well as hair. The Egyptians and Romans made salt rubs by massaging a combination of salt, herbs as well as natural oils in the body to cleanse and refresh.
Table Salt (Refined Salt): Refined table salt, also known as iodized salt, is a fine, granulated salt commonly used in cooking. This type of salt is highly refined to remove any impurities and eliminate any trace minerals often found in specialty salts. Additionally, it is utilised as an anti-caking agent to avoid lumping.
Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is a coarse, flaky salt. When used in cooking, it can add a crunchy texture to dishes and drinks.
Sea salt: Sea salt can have trace amounts of minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc, which may offer a different flavour in cooking but no additional health benefits when a normal amount is consumed.
Pink Himalayan rock salt: It is rich in minerals, containing all 84 essential trace elements required by your body. A healthier choice than the regular table salt, Himalayan salt is actually one of the best natural healers. Himalayan pink salt is mined in the red rolling hills of the salt range in Khewra. It’s known as a finishing salt because it is generally used at the end of cooking to add flavour and a crunchy texture to a meal. Trace amounts of rust (iron oxide) give this salt its pink colour.
Seasoned salt: It is mixed with herbs and flavourings such as celery salt, garlic salt, or onion salt. To reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, it is best to use the herbs on their own instead of the seasoned salt, as they don’t contain any sodium.
The regular table salt sitting beside your plate may not be as healthy as you think but salt in its pure form is divine and chefs or those who love cooking will agree with us. According to the current guidelines of WHO, adults should limit their salt intake to less than 5 grams (about one teaspoon) per day. As long as your salt consumption is within limits, there is nothing to worry.
Helps you stay hydrated: Salt also promotes healthy hydration levels and electrolyte balance, which is necessary for organs to function properly. Your cells, muscles, and tissues need water, and salt helps these parts of your body maintain the right amount of fluid.
Promotes good vascular health: Sea salt combined in water can help to eliminate high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure levels as well as control an irregular heartbeat, therefore providing safety against atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Low blood pressure can be managed by consuming more salt and hydrating fluids.
Strong immune system: Salt is the world’s earliest anti-biotic having anti-viral qualities. Therefore, it’s really a wonderful replacement for antibiotics minus the side effects. It fortifies your immune system, helping you to fight off the cold virus, fever, flu and autoimmune diseases in addition to keep allergies away.
Balances electrolytes and prevents muscle cramping: Rock salt contains a pure form of sodium chloride and forms of nutrients such as potassium. Electrolyte potassium and salt imbalance can be a risk factor for muscle cramps. So, rock salt can balance the potassium deficiency and prevent muscle cramps.
Improves digestion: Salt plays a part in digestion simply by helping to break down food. Salt also creates hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is an extremely essential digestive secretion, that lines the stomach walls. Salt will help the body digest food, instead of attempting to eat itself.
Supports a healthy nervous system: Sodium regulates water flow throughout your body, which is critical for a healthy nervous system. Additionally, the water of your nervous system requires salt for electrical conduction to send and receive nervous system signals. Just as with other functions of the body, your brain needs the right balance of sodium to other electrolytes, which is why intake of right amount of salt is important.
Improves sleep: Salt cures depression by producing the two hormones serotonin as well as melatonin which allow you to deal with stress, therefore making you relax and sleep better during the night.
Sore throat: Gargling with salt water -- about 1/2 teaspoon dissolved in a cup of warm water -- can ease swelling and make a sore, scratchy throat feel better.
Teeth stains: Salt performs a crucial role in dental health and is also frequently utilised as a component in toothpastes. A few studies show that toothpaste with baking soda whitens your teeth better than the kind without it. The soda scrubs away surface stains but won’t scratch your pearly whites.
While a little salt in your diet is necessary, it’s important to keep the amount in check.
