Salt has been used by humans for thousands of years. Early civilizations valued salt as a preservative for food and also used it in religious rituals. Salt was also used in ancient times as a form of currency. In fact, the word “salary” comes from the Latin word “sal,” meaning salt. Salt was an important commodity during the Roman Empire and was even used to pay Roman soldiers. In the Middle Ages, salt taxes were used as a source of revenue for governments. In some places, salt mines were controlled by powerful rulers, leading to salt being considered a valuable and even precious substance. Today, salt is widely used in cooking and food preservation, and is also used in many industrial processes such as the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
What does too much salt do to your body?
Consuming too much salt can have negative effects on your health. One of the main concerns is that it can raise blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. When you eat a lot of salt, it causes your body to retain water, which can increase the volume of blood in your veins and arteries. This puts extra pressure on your blood vessels, making it harder for your heart to pump blood. High blood pressure can also cause damage to blood vessels over time, which can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Eating too much salt can also lead to other health problems such as osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and kidney stones. It can also cause water retention and bloating, which can make you feel uncomfortable and can lead to weight gain.
It’s recommended to limit your salt intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, or about 1 teaspoon. However, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults, especially those with high blood pressure.
