Salt is the condiment we use every day and is one of the essential nutrients for the human body. But, do you know what salt to buy? There are many kinds of salt on the market, some claim to be natural and additive-free, some claim to contain a variety of trace elements, some claim to be low in sodium and low iodine, and some claim to come from the Himalayas or the depths of the ocean. What's the difference between these salts? Which salt is healthier? Below, we will introduce the characteristics and selection methods of different types of salt.
The main ingredient of salt is sodium chloride, which is often referred to as sodium. Sodium plays many important roles in the body, such as maintaining electrolyte balance, neuromuscular activity, and blood pressure regulation. However, too much or too little sodium can have adverse health effects, so salt should be consumed in moderation.
According to the ** of salt, it can be divided into the following types:
Sea salt: It is a salt extracted from seawater and contains some other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc., and it also varies in color and particle size. Sea salt has the advantage of good taste, but the disadvantage is that it may be polluted by the sea and contains harmful substances such as heavy metals or microplastics.
Lake salt: It is salt extracted from saltwater lakes and also contains some other minerals, such as iodine, sulfur, etc., with different colors and particle sizes. The advantage of lake salt is that it is of high purity, and the disadvantage is that it may contain more iodine, which is not suitable for people with hyperthyroidism.
Well salt: It is salt extracted from underground salt wells, which has high purity and relatively uniform color and particle size. The advantage of well salt is that it is cheaper, and the disadvantage is that it may contain fewer minerals and requires the addition of nutrients such as iodine.
Rock salt: It is a salt mined from underground salt mines, which is of low purity, different in color and particle size, and sometimes has sediment or impurities. The advantage of rock salt is that it contains more minerals, and the disadvantage is that it may contain harmful substances, such as lead, arsenic, etc.
According to the degree of processing of salt, it can be divided into the following types:
Coarse salt: It is salt that has not been refined, has large particles, is darker in color, and contains some impurities or water. The advantage of coarse salt is that it is natural and additive-free, and the disadvantage is that it is easy to agglomerate, not easy to dissolve, and it is inconvenient to grasp the dosage.
Refined salt: It is a refined salt with smaller particles, whiter color and lower moisture content. The advantages of refined salt are good taste, easy to dissolve, easy to grasp the dosage, and the disadvantage is that some anti-caking agents or iodine and other substances may be added.
Low sodium salt: is a salt that has been specially treated to reduce the sodium content and increase the potassium content, and the particles and color are similar to those of refined salt. The advantage of low sodium salt is that it can reduce sodium intake and prevent diseases such as high blood pressure, but the disadvantage is that it is not suitable for people with kidney dysfunction or taking antihypertensive drugs.
Bamboo salt: It is a salt fired at high temperature in a bamboo tube, with large particles, dark color, and some components of bamboo and wood. The advantage of bamboo salt is that it contains more minerals, and the disadvantage is that it is more expensive, has a bitter taste, and is not easy to dissolve.
Based on the above introduction, we can know that different types of salt have different characteristics, and no one salt is the absolute best or safest, but should be chosen according to one's own physical condition and preferences. Here are some suggestions for choosing salt:
If you are a healthy person and do not have high blood pressure or thyroid problems, then you can choose any kind of salt, as long as you pay attention to the dosage and do not exceed 5 grams per day, which is the amount of one teaspoon. You can choose according to your taste and budget, for example, if you like a good taste, you can choose sea salt, if you like cheap you can choose well salt, if you like natural and additive-free, you can choose coarse salt, and if you like easy to use, you can choose refined salt, etc.
If you have high blood pressure or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, then you can choose low sodium salt, which can reduce sodium intake, lower blood pressure and prevent complications. However, you should note that low sodium salt does not mean that you can eat more, and you should still control the dosage to no more than 5 grams per day. At the same time, you should avoid eating foods high in sodium, such as pickles, bacon, ham, soy sauce, MSG, etc. In addition, if you have kidney dysfunction or take antihypertensive drugs, then you should be cautious about using low-sodium salt, because low-sodium salt contains more potassium, which may cause symptoms such as hyperkalemia and irregular heartbeat, so you should consult your doctor to see if it is suitable for you.
If you have hyperthyroidism or nodules, then you should choose non-iodized salt, which can reduce iodine intake and avoid irritating the thyroid gland and aggravating the condition. However, you should note that non-iodized salt does not mean that you can eat more, and it is still necessary to control the dosage and not exceed 5 grams per day. At the same time, you should avoid eating some foods that are high in iodine, such as kelp, seaweed, seafood, etc. In addition, if you do not have thyroid problems, then you can choose iodized salt, which can supplement iodine intake and prevent goiter or cretinism caused by iodine deficiency.
In short, salt is the condiment we use every day, and it is also one of the essential nutrients for the human body. We should choose the right salt according to our physical condition and preferences, do not blindly pursue the promotion of a certain salt, and do not ignore the amount of salt.