Thursday, October 18, 2012

Let's Talk Salt...!

Salt has always been at the center of many discussions about health.

One group says salt should be used very sparingly, while the other side argues that salt is actually good for you and it's use only promotes good health! Regardless which way you think, this article from Listverse points out some very interesting facts.

Salt Kills

Fallacy: Salt kills



Salt is a naturally occurring substance that, when added to low-salt food, enhances and deepens flavor. The human body has around 1% salt in it and this is constantly removed through urination, sweating, etc. The salt is essential to our health so we need to replace it through our diet. Excess salt does not cause a high salt percentage – our bodies are smart enough to handle it. If you eat too much salt you just pee it out. There may be some negative impacts on the body through extremely high consumption of salt in those with blood or heart disorders, but the average healthy human can quite happily over-consume the substance without ill-effect. To kill yourself with salt, you need to consume about 1 gram per kilo of body weight. In other words, if you weigh 130 pounds you need to eat around 5 tablespoons of salt – an immense amount of salt and you would probably vomit before you could finish it (because salt is an emetic).

Did you know: Before Biblical Judaism ceased to exist, salt was mixed with animal sacrifices. This originated from Moses in Leviticus 2:13 which states: “Whatsoever sacrifice thou offerest, thou shalt season it with salt, neither shalt thou take away the salt of the covenant of thy God from thy sacrifice. In all thy oblations thou shalt offer salt.” The salt was a symbol of wisdom and discretion. [Stolen with impunity from one of my previous lists.]

Personally, I like salt and I use it on nearly everything I cook or eat. So far it hasn't hurt me, as far as I can tell!

Let's go to the patio for coffee this morning. I have some fresh pumpkin pie to share!

9 comments:

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Phew! Good news - pass that bag of potato chips!
Patio sound great. It's 32 here.
Pumpkin pie? I'll bring some whipped cream for the topping!

Sixbears said...

I think back to all the salted fish my grandmother used to eat. That the way a lot of food used to be preserved back in the day.

Caddie said...

I love salt
I love Salt! Unfortunately, not all salts are the same. Sea Salt or Celtic salt is my choice today. The type "It rains when it pours" or a generic found in regular groceries doesn't seem to be very healthy for a body; yet that has been the choice forever. So who knows what is best? Doctors tell us it raises the blood pressure and can kill !!! My father ate enormous amounts all his life and his blood pressure was always perfect, even to the day he died. Salt is wonderful used for a soaking bath or as a gargle for a sore throat. I love salt - Especially a dash on fruit brings out the flavors. Now excuse me while I soak my feet in a good warm foot bath with a fourth cup of salt to alleviate the swelling. Will you save me a BIG slice of that pie, please. My favorite kind, all filled with spice. Got milk?







Anonymous said...

If you have to work or live in the humid South, a person needs to keep a little bit of salt in their diet just to keep up. I have noticed when working outdoors with heavy duty chores, my body craves salt.

linda m said...

I have been reading for years how salt is not the "killer" that it has been portrayed as. Like everything else in life - moderation is best. i love to eat Triscuits and Doritos. Pumpkin pie with my coffee sounds delicious this morning.

JMD said...

I must admit I do have a fondness for salt and pumpkin pie. I will bring some apple bread!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I am on blood pressure medication and was told to restrict my salt intake. I still eat a lot more salt than my wife does. I like that sodium chloride.

JO said...

I am not a big salt user myself. But some things require more than others.Like steak, and other meats. Which I really don't eat much of either.

Pumkin Pie Oh My, Sounds wonderful to me.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Like all things, the key is moderation! That should apply to everything.

I got 'tater chips coming up!

Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Sixbears...
Must have worked fairly well, too!

In some ways, I think our ancestors were healthier than we are today!

Thanks, my friend, for coming over today!


Hey Sissy...
Everyone in my family has been using normal amounts of salt as far back as I can remember! Sure comes in handy fr a lot of things!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Anon 7:26...
Way back in the dark ages, when I was in basic training in San Antonio, we had to take a salt tablet everyday! Lost a lot of it in sweating while drilling, I reckon!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Linda...
So many ideas about what's good for us and what's not, it's hard to know who is correct!

I figure at my age, I'm not going to change . Don't worry! Be happy! That's my new motto!

Thanks for the visit!


Hey JMD...
Apple bread sure sounds great!

I share your fondness for salt and pie, that's for sure!

I appreciate you dropping in today!


Hey Dizzy...
I share your liking of it myself!

Thanks, buddy, for coming over today!


Hey Jo...
I agree that some foods sure call for plenty of salt!

Pie and coffee coming up!

Thanks, sweetie, for the visit!