The Healthy Benefits of Salt in Your Diet
Once upon a time, every doctor and fitness professional in the field advised against eating salt. It would make you bloat. It might raise blood pressure. It could clog arteries. It could make you dehydrated.
The negative side effects of salt were seemingly endless. In recent years, however, there has been a movement that claims salt might not be as bad as they thought. While too much salt can still be bad for your health, more and more doctors are finding that salt in the right amounts is actually good for you. If you have been banning salt, but would like to know more about these healthy benefits, check out these reasons to add a little salt back into your diet.
It Helps Balance Electrolytes
Electrolytes are needed by the body in order to maintain energy and prevent dehydration. If your body doesn’t have enough, it can really see negative side effects such as muscle cramps, dry skin, and poor functioning body systems. Salt can help to balance out the electrolytes in the body.
It Provides Sodium
While too much sodium can be bad for your health, too little sodium can be equally as bad. Sodium is a mineral that is vital to many functions in the body. If you want to get sodium in a healthy manner, look for sea salt instead of traditional table salt. This will provide you with the appropriate sodium levels without some of the negative side effects that come from regular salt.
It Can Help You Hold Water
Ok, so on the surface, that probably seems like a bad thing. Our bodies, however, need to hang onto some of the water that we fill it with. Salt can help your body retain the proper amount. It’s only when your salt intake is too high that your body will hold onto too much water and cause swelling. Salt in the right amount can hold onto enough water to keep you hydrated without completely bloating you up or drying you out.
So, What IS the Right Amount?
This is relative to your personal body size, type, and general state of health. In order to determine the best amount of salt for your body, ask your doctor for advice. For the healthiest salts, look for pink Himalayan salt or sea salt, as both are reportedly healthier options for getting your sodium. Thankfully for our bodies and our taste buds, we don’t have to totally give up salt. Eating salt in a healthy manner can be a health and taste boost to look forward to.
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