What are the benefits of salt
Salt – NaCl – consists of sodium and chlorine. Too much of the former can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. WHO experts are confident that if people eat less salt, it will be possible to save up to 2.5 million lives a year around the world. Therefore, experts recommend consuming no more than one level teaspoon of this product per day.
Yes, salt is extremely dangerous. But you shouldn’t completely abandon it. Still, it is one of the simplest and most accessible sources of sodium and chlorine, although not the only one. And without these elements, the body’s cells will not be able to function properly.
Salt promotes electrolyte balance
Electrolyte balance is the ratio of sodium, chlorine, potassium and other substances. They are necessary for the normal functioning of cells and organs , including the heart, blood vessels, muscles, and kidneys.
If you completely abandon sodium and chlorine, important processes will be disrupted: regulation of fluid balance, transmission of nerve impulses, contraction and relaxation of muscles.
Due to sodium deficiency, a person will feel nausea, cramps, and muscle weakness. Low chlorine levels will lead to vomiting, swelling and a feeling of constant fatigue. Children may even develop worse or grow slowly .
Regulates fluid balance
The sodium contained in salt helps control fluid volume. If there is too little element, problems will begin. So, the skin will become dry and blood pressure will drop, which can lead to fainting .
Participates in the transmission of nerve impulses
When one nerve cell needs to communicate with another, it opens special channels. These pathways allow sodium to enter. Normally, the influx of the element causes the nerve cell to become active and a chain reaction occurs: the signal is transmitted from cell to cell and gradually reaches the brain. After this, the muscles perform the action.
If the sodium concentration is less than required, the signal will not pass through or will pass through weakly. Because of this, the ability of the muscles to relax and contract will decrease and cramps may begin . And also problems with swallowing , involuntary eye movements and tremors – uncontrollable shaking of different parts of the body.
Helps muscles contract and relax
Sodium helps muscles contract. A deficiency of this element can cause tingling sensations and spasms – sudden, one-time painful muscle contractions.
Athletes and simply active people should be especially careful about how much salt they eat. The reason is that sodium and chlorine are removed from the body along with sweat. Their deficiency can lead to muscle discomfort, slow recovery and prolonged pain after exercise because without sodium the muscle fibers simply cannot relax enough . Because of this, the blood supply to the muscles deteriorates and a lack of nutrients appears .