We discover which variety of salt is the healthiest and most appropriate, in turn differentiating between the different types of salt that are most commonly consumed at the table.
Although highly criticized from a nutritional point of view, especially when it is consumed in excess (a practice and a very common habit today in our society, since we tend to add salt to practically all meals), the truth is that the Sodium is one of the most prevalent mineral elements in the blood and in the different extracellular fluids of our body, playing an extremely important role.
In fact, it intervenes in a large number of processes. For example, it helps the hydration of all our cells, to maintain the balance between the various fluids in our body and in maintaining the acid-base balance itself, among others.
However, we must pay special attention to the health consequences of excessive salt consumption to realize the risk of adding large amounts of salt to the foods and meals we consume on a daily basis. Why? Very simple: most foods already provide the daily amount of sodium that our body needs, so the best way to add flavor to food is not to cook with more salt, but to opt for other healthier condiments, such as spices, plants and herbs.
Another useful option is to discover which the best type of salt is, but first we are going to discover some of its negative effects when we consume a lot of salt: it increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, saturates the kidneys and can also cause cerebrovascular accidents.
Types of salt that we can find on the table:
- Common table salt: It is obviously the most common. It is mainly sodium chloride, although fluorine and iodine can sometimes be added to it. It is extracted through industrial processes, and it is common to add additives and preservatives.
- Unrefined sea salt: It is obtained by the evaporation of sea water, in a natural way. In addition to chlorine, it usually contains sodium, fluorine, iodine and other minerals. Despite these nutrients, its highest content is occupied by sodium chloride.
- Fleur de sell: Is a type of salt that forms on the surface of sea salt. It’s really low in sodium chloride and sodium, so it’s hypotonic, meaning it doesn’t cause fluid retention.
- Himalayan salt: A variety of salt that became famous a few years ago, and whose price sometimes tends to be not very accessible. However, it contains essential nutrients, minerals and trace elements that make it a suitable natural option.
What is the best type of salt, from a healthy point of view?
At this point, it is normal for us to consider what variety or type of health would be the most appropriate from a healthy and nutritional point of view.
First of all, we must bear in mind that practically all varieties and types of salts contain sodium chloride, so that whatever the variety is, it should always be consumed in moderation.
Therefore, it is advisable to always try to avoid adding salt to foods and meals in terms of sodium intake, since we find it in many foods naturally.
Therefore, if you prefer to add a little salt, the most suitable are fleur de sell and Himalayan salt. Although in these cases we also recommend that you opt for other options, such as spices, herbs and plants when adding flavor to food.
If you want to discover healthy alternatives to salt, we recommend reading our article on natural and healthy seasonings.
