Sea salt is naturally salty sea water obtained from the sea floor. It is high in magnesium and sodium and is used to add taste and flavor to foods. It's a great seasoning and preservative, used to preserve food for hundreds of years. Also known as table salt or rock salt, it is widely used in cooking, baking, cosmetics, and even for preserving food.
As of yet, there is no evidence of its effectiveness as an antioxidant or healing agent. However, studies have shown that sea salt does contain trace minerals that can help fight free radicals in the body and possibly slow the aging process. It's also been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic, although it should be noted that this use dates back to the ancient Egyptians.
Sea salt comes in two forms: beach sand and inland sea salt. Beach sand is the kind you find at the shoreline. Inland sea salt comes from inland seas such as oceans and rivers. When buying sea salt you can choose from sea salt blended with sand, sea salt confined to a tablet, sea salt enclosed in a block, or sea salt crystals. They are all excellent methods of obtaining quality sea salt.
One of the main health benefits of sea salt is iodine. Iodine deficiency can cause a range of developmental disorders and illnesses including mental retardation and autism. Iodine is important for the human body because it helps with the production of hormones, particularly progesterone. It's also crucial for red blood cell formation and energy metabolism and is essential for cell regeneration.
To make sure you're getting the right amount of iodine, it's recommended to buy your salt from a reputable supplier. Look for a salt company that advertises its iodine content. Iodine content can vary considerably depending on where the salt came from so it pays to be informed.
It's difficult to pinpoint the exact role that iodine plays in our health because our bodies constantly need iodine. However, there are known health benefits attributed to it, including reducing the risk of thyroid cancer and lowering blood pressure. Other benefits include improving the eyesight, helping to heal wounds, lowering cholesterol and regulating body temperature. Iodine also plays a role in regulating the production and release of other minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
Other health benefits of salt consist of reducing inflammation of the joints and muscles, which are an essential element in treating arthritis and other relevant conditions. Iodine deficiency also contributes to conditions such as fatigue and depression. It can also contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of certain cancers. Because sea salt is highly refined and processed, it lacks the healthy trace minerals that our bodies need to function properly. For example, magnesium is found abundantly in nature in sea salt (along with sodium and potassium). In comparison, processed sea salt tends to lose most of these valuable minerals.
It's clear to see that there are numerous benefits associated with the consumption of sea salt and its use as a food and supplement. Its use as food is a more flexible option, but it's probably fair to say that it's got less staying power as a healthy supplement. But if you want to help your body get all the iodine it needs, sea salt may be just the thing for you. If you find yourself craving a good salty taste but don't want to add iodine mineral supplements to your diet, try sea salt.
The best way to get the iodine that you need is to eat sea salt regularly. Even if the taste of sea salt doesn't appeal to you, it's a very healthy choice. iodine helps to regulate brain functions and regulating the thyroid gland. As the thyroid gland is responsible for controlling metabolism and thus creating energy in the body, proper iodine balance is very important. With the right combination of regular consumption of sea salt and kelp, you can benefit from a number of health benefits. You'll feel happier, you'll look better and you'll have more energy to enjoy the things that you love.
But that's not all about the benefits of sea salt. Just because sea salt has iodine doesn't mean that you necessarily need to eat a ton of it or drink large amounts of it. The right amount of sea salt is pretty much a matter of personal preference. But just remember that too much sea salt can actually be just as unhealthy as consuming too much sugar or caffeine. And when combined with other substances such as caffeine, sea salt can also have negative effects. It can act as a diuretic and deplete your body of needed fluids.
You also need to be aware of the potential side effects of sea salt. Some sea salts contain high levels of iodine mineral, which can increase your risk of hyperthyroidism. If you happen to have hyperthyroidism already, then you really do want to stay away from sea salt. Excess iodine can cause serious health problems.