Health benefits of salt can be attributed to several different factors, including taste, composition, and cost. Here we take a closer look at some of the most popular types of salt, and how they can benefit your diet. You can also find salts that are less expensive and healthier for you, depending on the type you choose. There are also many different types of salts available, including pink Himalayan salt, which is revered for its healthy properties.
Health benefits of salts
There are many health benefits of salts. The dietary sodium content in our foods helps our bodies function properly. While a moderate intake of salt may be beneficial to your health, an excessive amount is detrimental. Excess sodium increases the risk of heart failure and hypertension. Salt affects the body through several complex pathways, including the hormonal system, the inflammatory system, and the digestive system. It can also affect calcium levels. The best way to avoid too much sodium is to consume a variety of salts.
Cost
We all know that table salt is indispensable in making delicious French fries. But did you know that the chemical industry consumes 42 million tons of salt each year? That’s almost as much as the entire world’s population. Besides being a key ingredient in food, salt is also used in countless other products, including cleaning agents, cosmetics, and medicine. This article outlines some of the cost-cutting strategies that are being applied to lower the global salt bill.
Composition
Salt has played different roles in human history. Apart from being an essential food preservation agent, it is also used for flavouring and enhancing foods. The microbial activity of salt is regulated, increasing its stability. It also enhances the binding properties of batters in processed meat products. The composition of salts worldwide varies, depending on their use. But they all have one common characteristic – they are highly concentrated in our food.
Taste
Researchers are exploring how salts contribute to our overall sense of taste and contribute to our diet. They are also exploring how salts work with other chemical sensory systems, which may provide valuable insights into strategies to reduce sodium in our diets. Smell receptors detect volatiles, which we often judge as sweet, contributing to our overall acceptance and sweetness judgments. This phenomenon may also apply to salty taste perception. Developing salt-replacement methods may help us reduce salt levels in our diet without altering the food’s taste and quality.
Aroma
There are many different types of salts, each with different uses. Some are exotic-looking, while others are highly flavourful. Smoked salts are derived from deep seas and are typically smoked over cherry wood to give them a smoky scent. They have notes of tar, red fruit, and warm earth, and can impart a meaty umami to foods. Depending on where you live, you can choose salts that have a distinct taste.
Color
Differentiating gourmet salts by color may be as easy as a little bit of trace mineral content. While sodium chloride is a primary component of salts, different varieties contain other trace minerals. For example, Himalayan pink salt may be healthier and have a better taste than other types of salt. It’s also good for roasting fish and chicken. These differences in mineral content are important to consider when deciding which salt to buy.
Salinity
If we reduce the consumption of salts worldwide, it is estimated that up to 2.5 million deaths would be prevented every year. As our dietary habits change due to rapid urbanization and increased production of highly processed foods, we’re eating more energy dense foods, including salt. Because salt is the main source of sodium, increased consumption is associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Therefore, reducing salt consumption is vital for our health.