Sole Water: An Ancient Recipe for Modern Vitality
Last updated: November 13, 2024Author:
Lionel Thomas Father, Gamer and Founder with a Passion for Health, AI, Environment and Gamification of Life. |
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References:
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Get the Facts: Data and Research on Water Consumption
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-stati...
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Salt
Better Health Channel
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/heal...
Summary:
Salt, an electrolyte comprised of sodium and chloride, is heavily consumed in our diets, often in excessive quantities. The average Australian consumes almost double the recommended sodium intake, leading to potential health issues, such as high blood pressure and other health conditions. A significant amount of this salt intake comes from processed foods, often unknowingly to the consumer.
Our bodies do need some sodium to help regulate fluid levels and maintain the correct volume of circulating blood and tissue fluids. However, our diets usually contain far more sodium than needed, which can be harmful. Excessive sodium intake has been linked to heart failure, kidney problems, edema, stroke, stomach cancer, osteoporosis, and more.
It's recommended that adults consume no more than 5 grams of salt a day, or 2,000mg of sodium, to prevent chronic disease. Sodium intake above this level is associated with health risks like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Children, too, are consuming too much salt, establishing unhealthy eating habits that may persist into adulthood.
Reducing salt intake is possible by adjusting dietary habits, gradually decreasing the amount of salt used in cooking, choosing foods with less hidden salt, and avoiding high-salt, processed foods. Another aspect to consider is maintaining a good balance of potassium in the body, which helps nerves, muscles, and the heart to function properly and can counteract some of the effects of high sodium intake. Foods high in potassium include bananas, apricots, mushrooms, and spinach.
Lastly, iodine is also an essential nutrient, vital for the healthy functioning of our thyroid gland. Most bread in Australia is made with iodised salt to ensure sufficient iodine intake. However, it's crucial for pregnant and breastfeeding women to get enough iodine, often requiring supplements, as low iodine levels can affect the brain development of their child.
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How the body regulates salt levels
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-rese...
Summary:
This article discusses a series of experiments that reveal how the body regulates its salt and water balance, overturning previous beliefs about the role of thirst in this process. The study, led by Dr. Jens Titze, was conducted on men participating in a simulated space flight program, in which their daily salt intake was strictly controlled. The researchers discovered that the body retained and released sodium in weekly and monthly patterns, irrespective of the level of salt consumed. These rhythms also applied to hormones aldosterone and glucocorticoids, which are crucial in regulating sodium excretion and metabolism, respectively.
Contrary to prior assumptions, the researchers found that increasing salt intake led to the kidneys conserving water and excreting excess sodium through concentrated urine, rather than stimulating thirst. As a result, participants drank less when their salt intake was highest. This indicates that the body maintains its fluid balance not only by excreting sodium but also by actively retaining or releasing water.
Further experiments in mice indicated that high salt diets increase glucocorticoid levels, causing muscle and liver to burn more energy to produce urea, which is then used by the kidney for water conservation. This shift in metabolism may partially explain why high salt diets are associated with health issues like diabetes and heart disease that are linked to metabolic syndrome. Titze suggests that there is much more to understand about the role of salt in metabolic syndrome beyond its connection to high blood pressure.
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Sea Salt: Uses, Benefits, and Downsides
Healthline
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sea...
Summary:
Sea salt, produced by evaporating salt water, is believed by some to offer health benefits due to its minimal processing and trace mineral content. It contains sodium chloride, a compound vital for fluid balance and blood pressure regulation, and minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium. However, these nutrients are present only in minute amounts, making sea salt's nutritional advantage over table salt negligible.
Despite having larger granules, sea salt isn't inherently healthier or lower in sodium than table salt. Consuming excessive sodium, regardless of the type of salt, can lead to health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.
There are claims that sea salt aids hydration, blood pressure regulation, digestion, and skin health, but they lack robust scientific backing. Though sea salt can help meet your sodium needs, it can also be obtained from other foods. Moreover, consuming too much salt can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and kidney stones.
Sea salt can be used in cooking, providing distinct flavors compared to table salt. Additionally, it may be used in bathwater for potential skin benefits, although research is still inconclusive on this. Ultimately, sea salt can be beneficial when used judiciously, but it should not be considered a health remedy.