Salt is essential to human life. Our bodies need the sodium in salt to maintain the fluid content in our blood. We also need salt to transport nutrients to our cells, and keep our nerve impulses flowing freely. Originally salt was a scarce commodity and our bodies evolved to need very little salt. However now salt is overused in the production of most processed foods. This means that for most people, their salt intake is far too high to be considered healthy. Moreover, the quality of the salt used is lacking in the natural minerals and elements that sea salt or rock salt contain. This presents a dual problem; you are now being forced to eat much higher amounts of salt and the salt consumed is processed with chemicals such as bleach and anti caking agents. Additionally, many manufacturers use monosodium glutamate giving the body even more sodium.  It is important to note sodium is only 40% of sodium chloride and thus foods stating sodium content should be multiplied by 2.5 to get the real salt content.   

The reason the content of salt remains so high in processed foods is that it extends the shelf life of food and more importantly adds flavor to the food that is lost in the mass production. In fact, the food with the highest salt content is bread because the dough is not given enough time to ferment so the flavor is lost. Without the addition of salt, the bread would taste much like paper. It is now speculated 75 % of our daily intake of salt comes from processed foods. Source 101 facts you should know about food by John Farndon copyright 2007

Traditional seasalts used in food came from natural sources and was loaded with elements and nutrients that were essential to our survival. People added salt while cooking and eating to naturally balance the bodies need for salt. Salt was procured from sources that mined or harvested salt directly from nature. The salt produced ranged in color and mineral content and many of those populations received their daily intake of minerals in this way. To give you a good idea of the difference in processed table salt and natural sea salt, please see the diagram below. 

Source University of Nantes by Prof. L. C. Kervran and Rene Quinton, “Seawater Organic Medium”.

The comparisons create a dire picture. The elements are completely stripped in processed table salt. Without these elements, the effect of pure sodium chloride on our bodies is harsh and damaging. This is one of the reasons why doctors recommend we reduce sodium in our diets. They are simply reacting to the result of high processed salts and increased intake, prompting Doctors to advocate a reduction in salt intake.   

The best way to incorporate salt into your diet without it becoming detrimental is to reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet. Eliminating foods like cereal, chips, canned goods, cookies and mass produced bread is a good idea. Use raw and wholegrain foods in their place. When you add salt to food remember that we need about a teaspoon of salt per day to stay healthy. Salt intake is also based on your lifestyle, individuals who get regular exercise will need more salt to replace the amount lost while sweating.  Finally try and substitute processed salt with a natural sea salt or rock salt, as this will ensure you are receiving all the healthy elements and minerals that these sea salts contain.