Interesting Facts About Salt
By DB
@dgobucks226 (37621)
February 3, 2020 3:10pm CST
Do you add salt to your foods? I don't since it (sodium) seems to be found in almost every food product out there. Salt consumption has gotten out of control turning from a way to preserve food into a cheap product used to flavor our favorite chips, pretzels, and other items. As a matter of fact, in America we consume an average of 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day. Not a good idea according to dietitians who believe there is a link between high blood pressure and sodium.
Actually, salt wasn't always such a cheap commodity. Salt used to be so valuable that Wars were fought to acquire it and the spice inspired a lively black market throughout Europe and Asia. Heck, salt was so popular it even had a way to bring you good luck so the superstition goes. 
Now, in case your interested here are a few salt facts you might not be aware of...
1. Without salt we would die- Part of the reason we crave salty snacks is because our cells need salt to function. The salt in our bodies are used to perform several bodily functions one being converting nutrients to energy.
2. We are continually losing salt through sweating and using the bathroom- so a diet containing salt is important to replenish our supply.
3. Although we need salt we really don't require that much- our bodies only need 186 milligrams each day — that's less than a tenth of a teaspoon full. Of course, consuming that tiny amount is impossible with sodium found in everything we eat and drink.
4. Salt might actually assist in making you smarter? The reason is iodine. It's crucial for healthy and normal brain function in addition to thyroid health.
Hope you enjoyed that "salt tutorial." 
Here's another salt fact to think about. One would think salt's # 1 use is for food but it's not. Do you know what it is? Oh yes, almost forgot, do you salt your foods? 
Here is a link for more info...
Read More: https://www.mashed.com/160965/the-untold-truth-of-salt/sl/?utm_campaign=clip
Source- Reader's Digest
Photo- finecooking.com
Now, in case your interested here are a few salt facts you might not be aware of...
1. Without salt we would die- Part of the reason we crave salty snacks is because our cells need salt to function. The salt in our bodies are used to perform several bodily functions one being converting nutrients to energy.
2. We are continually losing salt through sweating and using the bathroom- so a diet containing salt is important to replenish our supply.
3. Although we need salt we really don't require that much- our bodies only need 186 milligrams each day — that's less than a tenth of a teaspoon full. Of course, consuming that tiny amount is impossible with sodium found in everything we eat and drink.
4. Salt might actually assist in making you smarter? The reason is iodine. It's crucial for healthy and normal brain function in addition to thyroid health.
Hope you enjoyed that "salt tutorial."
Here's another salt fact to think about. One would think salt's # 1 use is for food but it's not. Do you know what it is? Oh yes, almost forgot, do you salt your foods?
Here is a link for more info...
Read More: https://www.mashed.com/160965/the-untold-truth-of-salt/sl/?utm_campaign=clip
Source- Reader's Digest
Photo- finecooking.com15 people like this
14 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
3 Feb 20
It is very interesting. Before the French Revolution there was a heavy tax on salt in all provinces not near the sea. Because of this high tax, there were also a high number of salt smugglers. And because there were salt smugglers a special salt police was created to fight them. And finally, as it was not very efficient, people were forced to buy a small quantity of taxed salt according to the number of persons in a house.
5 people like this
@topffer (42155)
• France
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 Not everywhere. Last time we had snow here, about 3 years ago, my city had no stock of salt
. Fortunately snow melts quickly in my area, and it was gone after 3 days.
. Fortunately snow melts quickly in my area, and it was gone after 3 days.2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
5 Feb 20
Thanks for the additional information. Much appreciated 
Salt was such a valuable commodity back then. Now one of the #1 uses for salt is to melt roadways and sidewalks.
Salt was such a valuable commodity back then. Now one of the #1 uses for salt is to melt roadways and sidewalks.2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
3 Feb 20
I worked for a salt company for 10 years; and my husband worked there for over 25 years. No, I rarely salt my food.
2 people like this
!@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
3 Feb 20
@topffer lol We were already married. The salt mine is in Ohio!
2 people like this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
3 Feb 20
I loved it! I´m actually trying to eat leass salt when I can. I steam veggies with no salt added.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
6 Feb 20
Glad you enjoyed the post! Here are a couple more interesting facts- Interestingly, the # 1 use for salt isn't for food, there are many uses from removing ice from your sidewalk in the winter to helping manufacture soap, candles and drain cleaner.
Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).
Good job with staying away from salty foods.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 I knew some of those other uses.
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
17 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 I have heard of people that never use salt or eat any food that contains salt and are very healthy. What do you make of that?
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Feb 20
Salt is found in all the foods we eat. One doesn't need to add any. I rarely put salt on my food since it's already added by companies for flavor. Salt is needed to balance our bodily systems. It's needed to transmit nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle fibers (including those in the heart and blood vessels), and maintain a proper fluid balance. It doesn't take much to do this.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
18 Feb 20
@kanuck1 As I discovered through researching salt is in so many foods we eat. Never heard of someone consuming a food intake without any salt at all, doesn't seem possible. 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
5 Feb 20
Nice addition thanks! Here is an additional fact although there are different types of salt with different flavors one is not any healthier than another.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 I use natural sea salt to cook because I love the taste and because it is naturally rich in iodine. The sea salt that I like more is the French Grey Bretagne Salt, my husband likes Himalayan and Persian salts. I have a large number of salts at home, including the black Hawaiian salt.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
6 Feb 20
Very healthy choice. One can get really a-salt-ed into bad health if you indulge too much, lol.
BTW- Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).
I knew you would appreciate that Jim
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 Being a money man, I DEFINITELY appreciate that. I wonder if I can cash in my thing of Morton's I have left that has been sitting there since my salt restriction?
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
5 Feb 20
yes I know it is added to a lot of building materials and to dry things too. I try not to add salt and don't but here its like not just salt but sugar is in everything I eat already
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
5 Feb 20
That is so true bonnie. Sugar is also an ingredient found in so many foods we eat.
Interestingly, the # 1 use for salt isn't for food, there are many uses from removing ice from your sidewalk in the winter to helping manufacture soap, candles and drain cleaner.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
4 Feb 20
I am going to drown myself in salt shortly here for lunch.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 Right thanks DB I needed that haha
Right thanks DB I needed that haha1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
6 Feb 20
Well, try to show some restraint I'd hate to see you get a-salt-ed 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
16 Feb 20
Yes, I like pepper too. Lemon pepper is especially good on foods.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Feb 20
In response to your question at the end, my guess would have been the #1 use is for flavoring and/or preserving foods, but I think by asking the question you are implying it is something else. So my next guess is going to be for salting roads? I actually had to think about it for a second, because living in the South, we don't ever have to salt our roads, but I'm sure it's a big thing up north. Let me know if I'm correct or not. Otherwise, I can't think of any other uses for salt! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 That just goes to show that anything can be considered an item of currency if there is a value or demand attached to it!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
9 Feb 20
Yes, you are correct 
Salting roads has become its major use. Here is another interesting fact: Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).
Salting roads has become its major use. Here is another interesting fact: Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 I have heard that. Some of these facts from long ago are very interesting.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
5 Feb 20
Yes I agree seems salt contents in some foods are extremely high. BTW- Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
13 Feb 20
I am trying to curtail my salt intake by using light salt, but who knows if it's helping. Thanks for the salt facts.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
14 Feb 20
Anytime. It's fun to learn something unusual , lol. Here's one more fun fact - Salt was once used as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were often paid in salt (or, given an allowance with which to purchase salt).
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
5 Feb 20
Oh yes, absolutely! Good additions Carol.
Here is an additional fact- although there are different types of salt with different flavors one is not any healthier than another.
Here is an additional fact- although there are different types of salt with different flavors one is not any healthier than another.1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Feb 20
@dgobucks226 Yes, many people think sea salt is healthier, turns out it is not.
1 person likes this
