Monday, December 20, 2010

Do we Need Salt in Our Diet, the Benefits and Risks of Consuming Salt

Salt is a mineral that naturally occurs in virtually all plant-based foods, as well as in the ocean and underground salt mines. Salt in moderation is essential for health, but when it is consumed in excess amounts, it can lead to serious health problems.

The following articles go into more detail as to how much salt we need in our diet, the health benefits associated with consuming salt in moderation, as well as the health risks of consuming salt in excess amounts.

Do We Need Salt in Our Diet

It seems as though everywhere we turn, we hear about reducing our salt intake. We hear about all the negative side effects that an excess amount of salt can bring upon us, and it almost makes you wonder...do we even need salt in our diet? Read more...

How Much Salt Do You Need

Salt is an essential part of a healthy diet, as it helps to fight depression, anxiety, cancer, osteoporosis, muscle spasms and many other health problems. It can be obtained from table salt, sea salt, or naturally by eating plant-based foods. Read more...

Side Effects of Excess Salt

Salt in moderation is good for your health. In fact, without salt in the body, it would not be able to function both physically or mentally. Salt helps with muscle contractions, balances fluids, increases energy and helps the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. However, negative side effects can occur when excess salt is consumed. Read more...

How to Lower Your Intake of Salt

Salt is a mineral, that is crucial to the overall health of the body. However, as with any food it should be taken in moderation, as excess amounts can have negative side effects. Therefore you should take the initiative to monitor, and find ways to lower your intake of salt if it is too high. Read more...

How to Obtain Salt Naturally

Salt is an essential mineral that the body needs in order to remain healthy. It is essential for helping the body to digest food, retain a healthy fluid level, and prevent many diseases and common ailments. Read more...

Friday, December 3, 2010

Does Sea Salt Have Any Health Benefits

Sea salt is usually only found in health food stores, and it is more expensive than regular table salt. But does it have any health benefits that make it worth the extra price that you pay? The answer is a resounding yes! Unrefined sea salt is all natural, and does not have any harmful ingredients added to it that can harm the body. So if you are going to use salt, use unrefined sea salt, as your body will thank you for it.

Neutralizes Acids

Sea salt has an alkalizing effect on the body, which means that it helps to neutralize acids so that you can achieve a healthy pH balance again. A healthy pH balance is essential in order for your body to heal itself from any disease. But an acidic body is prone to many diseases and common ailments such as cancer, depression, the common cold and fibromyalgia.

Helps to Sleep Better

Drink about 1 or 2 glasses of water, and then sprinkle some sea salt on your tongue. Do this before you go to bed, and you will fall into a deep sleep, as the salt acts as a natural sedative.

Fights Depression

Sea salt is a natural substitute for lithium, and is said to be able to treat the symptoms of depression just as effectively as the drug. But the great thing is that sea salt in moderation does not have any negative side effects. Click here fore more info on how it helps depression.

In addition, sea salt is able to maintain levels of serotonin and melatonin in the body. Serotonin is a feel good hormone that the body produces in the morning to help you to wake up and deal with stress throughout the day. Then at night the serotonin is converted into melatonin, which helps you to sleep better, thus enabling you to wake up fully rested.

Helps with Digestion

Sea salt naturally helps to create more digestive juices so that the foods you eat can be digested and turned into energy faster. In addition it helps to prevent saturated fats and excess proteins from building up along your intestinal walls. As a result it helps to maintain regular bowel movements to prevent digestive problems.

Prevents Muscle Spasms

Sea salt is essential for helping muscles to open and contract. It contains a small amount of potassium, plus, it also helps to absorb more potassium from other foods. Thus it can help to prevent muscle pains, spasms and cramping.

Prevents a Double Chin

A double chin may occur when the salivary glands are overworked and forced to produce more saliva than what they can handle. This can happen when the body is deficient in salt and water, and is forced to create its own fluids to help lubricate the mouth during chewing, swallowing and the digestion of foods. Thus salt along with the proper amount of water can help to prevent a double chin.