Salt is a neutral substance that is obtained after a reaction between an alkali and an acid. However, when we use the term salt, most of us tend to relate it with the ordinary salt that we use to cook at home. Salts adds flavor to food; it also has other benefits for the body.
The common salt as we know it comes in different forms with different flavors. Some types of salt include table salt, sea salt, iodized salt, kosher salt and rock salt. In this article we are going to focus more on the different types of sea salt as well as some health risks associated with the consumption of table salt.
Sea Salt
Sea salt is a type of salt that is obtained after the evaporation of sea water. Previously known as bay salt, this type of salt has a distinct flavor. It comes in several different forms based on the different mineral compositions in different ocean water. Let us now learn more about some types of sea salt.
Salt farmers harvesting salt, Pak Thale, Ban Laem, Phetchaburi, Thailand (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Black Salt
This type of sea salt is obtained from the ocean water around India. It has a strong odor with a gray or pink coloring. It can be used for seasoning different foods though it is commonly used in Indian recipes.
Hawaiian Sea Salt
This type of sea salt is harvested on the Hawaiian coastline. This type has some unique characteristics that differentiate it from the other types of sea-salt options. It has a deep pink color due to the presence of Alaea (an additive). Hawaiian sea salt is used for seasoning Hawaiian dishes such as Khalua Pig and Hawaiian Jerky.
Celtic Sea Salt
This type of salt is commonly harvested in areas around France. It is obtained from the light film of salt that’s formed during the evaporation process. It is usually grey in color mainly due to the presence of clay in the French coastline.
Smoked Sea Salt
This type of salt also stands out from the rest. Smoked salt is obtained by passing it over wood fires. As a result, this gives it a unique smoke flavor. It is used in a variety of dishes such as pasta, fish, salads and meat.
The Dangers of Table Salt And Why To Choose Sea Salt
As we’ve seen, salt is very important to our bodies. However, as we shall learn, some types of salt have some dangerous effects on our bodies. Here is a look of some health implications of consuming table salt.
Hypertension
Table salt causes an increase in blood pressure. This is because this salt contains some toxic substances which the body attempts to move away from the heart rapidly.
Chronic Imbalances
Many chronic imbalances such as gout, diabetes and gout are worsened by the intake of table salt. Moreover table salts cause the body to retain water and other fluids.
The Lymph System
Table salt wreaks havoc to the lymphatic system. It negatively affects both the nervous and the circulatory systems.
Addiction
Table salt tends to be addictive as the body gets used to abnormally high levels of sodium.
As you can see there are reasons to choose a certain kind of salt. The most important reason is that some salts can affect your health. So when you are looking at salt make sure you choose a sea salt that is good for your health and not depleted of minerals that help your body.
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