When you go to the store, there's no doubt that kosher salt will be on the list. While it's good for the heart and bones, table salt has been known to cause many serious health issues, including:
Overdose – If you are already very familiar with the dangers of salt intake, you've probably heard of what they say about salt causing arthritis. The truth is that salt raises blood pressure, but it's important to note that even very high amounts of salt won't cause hypertension. A good rule of thumb is to stay under two grams of salt per day for the best results.
The Effects – If you want a complete rundown of what salt can do to your body, start by learning about the effects of salt on your kidneys and the kidneys of your children. Your kidneys are basically filtering organs that rid your body of waste. The salt content in table salt causes your kidneys to work harder and make more salt, which leads to a rise in uric acid.
Heart Disease – This is another common problem associated with excessive salt intake. High levels of salt can trigger heart attacks, which are a major cause of death in the United States. Many experts believe that salt causes coronary artery disease as well as heart attack and stroke.
How to Reduce the Risk – Although there are no hard-and-fast rules about how much salt to keep out of your diet for the sake of keeping your heart healthy, there are some ways to help lower your overall risk of developing heart disease. Eating foods high in potassium will increase your sodium intake, but also add other nutrients to your diet. Adding foods high in magnesium, beta carotene and essential fatty acids will also help your body keep its sodium levels in check.
Kidney Stones – Over time, excessive salt can lead to deposits of calcium and oxalate crystals forming in the urinary tract. These calcium deposits are known as kidney stones, and they are not only painful but can also damage and scar the walls of your urinary tract.
Natural Cures – Many health experts recommend using natural remedies for kidney stones. One such remedy is called struvitectomycin, which uses a special type of bacteria to kill the bacteria that cause kidney infections.
Table Salt in Food – Although there are still many people who believe that salt makes your food taste better, recent research has shown that the opposite is true. Recent studies suggest that consuming a diet high in sodium leads to a reduction in the amount of nutrients found in food. This means that your taste buds get a smaller amount of essential vitamins and minerals, making it hard to distinguish between the real flavors. In other words, salt has the same effect as eating a teaspoon of table salt every single meal.
Blood Pressure – Over time, too much salt can also contribute to a raised blood pressure level. The more salt you consume on a daily basis, the higher your blood pressure will get.
How to Reduce the Amount – The best way to lower your sodium intake is to avoid salty foods and replace them with more foods high in potassium. To help with this, eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Eat a lot of nuts, like almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, and cashews because they contain very little sodium. while still packing plenty of other nutrients.
Sodium is also bad for your health because it increases the risk of hypertension, which is often linked to high blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, you should cut back on your salt consumption. If you don't already have high blood pressure, make sure you limit your kosher salt intake and try to take vitamin supplements.
As you can see, table salt is not good for you. Now that you know what table salt does to your body, the next step is to find alternatives and find ways to replace it with healthier alternatives.