Types of salt: everything you need to know about salt

There are many products that we used to eat everyday. In their number includes salt. This product is not only related to our nutrition, but also to life activity in general. In our article, various types of salt are described. In addition, you can find out its positive and negative qualities, as well as the daily rate of its use.

What is salt? General information on the substance

Salt is a complex substance that decomposes into metal cations and anions of acid residues in aqueous solution. It is considered a natural preservative, the source of the most important minerals and the obligatory spice in the kitchen. In ancient Rome salt was paid salaries and used it to create amulets. It was this substance that was used as a medicine against certain diseases.

The greatest amount of salt is in sea water. It can also be found in the mineral halite. It is extracted from sedimentary rocks. Such salt is no less in demand than the classical one.

In the food industry, salt is a food product, which is ground sodium chloride crystals used in cooking. It dissolves in water, but does not change its color. There are different types of food salt. All of them differ in taste, but nevertheless contain sodium chloride in their composition.

Each of us knows the expression according to which salt is a white poison. However, it is believed that without it life would not have arisen on Earth. Not everyone knows that the salt is contained in the blood.

In the chemical industry, sodium chloride (common salt) is used to create chlorine and soda. It is also often used in cosmetology.

The positive qualities of salt

Different types of salt have both positive and negative properties. This substance contains a lot of trace elements. Salt has a positive effect on the digestive system and increases vitality. A small amount of salt in the diet reduces the number of attacks in asthmatics. This substance contains selenium in its composition - it is a useful substance that is an antioxidant. It positively influences cells and protects them from destruction.

All types of salt food contribute to the removal of harmful and dangerous substances from the body. This compound is excellent for poisoning, as it blocks the absorption of the intestinal mucosa of toxic components. Salt also delays their intake into the blood. Such an additive helps the body in the fight against radiation and other dangerous radiations. She perfectly kills germs.
Many types of salt are used in cosmetology. It is added to creams and scrubs. Thanks to this component, the pores are opened and the necrotic cells exfoliate. Salt procedure can be done both at home and in a cosmetology room with a specialist. All kinds of table salt were used during the Second World War. Then, in a solution with its addition, a napkin was wetted and applied to a wounded soldier for several days. Due to this, the damaged area became clean and had a healthy pink color. It is known that a saline solution can also be used in the treatment of tumors.

Negative properties of salt

Any product has both positive and negative qualities. Absolutely all kinds of salt - this is not an exception. At a medical symposium in 1979, scientists said that table salt, which we consume daily, is a poisonous substance. In their opinion, it suppresses our health.

It is important to know the norm. Excess sodium in the body leads to a delay in excess fluid. As a consequence - bags under the eyes, swelling of the face and legs. Regular consumption of excessively salty foods leads to obesity and increased blood pressure. In this regard, a person quickly tired and feels headaches. Excess saline leads to the formation of stones in the urinary tract. In all the harmful qualities of salt the people themselves are to blame. Attempts to make it snow-white and better finished with the fact that today the product contains a huge amount of sodium chloride. Surprisingly, the natural sea salt evaporated in the sun, in its composition resembles inorganic compounds of blood. The daily salt norm should not exceed 15 grams. It is important to consider its content in the finished products.

Main types of edible salt

There are three types of salt:

• Stone;
• Evaporation;
• The sea.

They are the most basic. All three varieties differ in the way they are extracted and cleaned.

Rock salt has a gray color and a large size. This is ground halite. Surprisingly, this is the only edible mineral in the world. The substance was formed several million years ago in the territory of the ancient seas. Obtain this type of salt in mines and caves. Then it is cleaned. Unfortunately, table salt contains a large amount of insoluble substances. Over time, they accumulate in the body.

The salt of salt differs in snow white color and small size. For its production, a mine with a salt layer is filled with water. After that, the so-called brine rises, which is evaporated and purified under the influence of high temperatures. For example, "Extra" salt is a product that consists of 99% sodium chloride. It is considered the most beautiful, snow-white and shallow. Its composition does not include solid impurities, but, unfortunately, there are no useful trace elements, such as iodine, magnesium and bromine. In the salt "Extra" is often added chemicals that protect it from absorbing liquid. Because of this, the product dissolves poorly in the blood and accumulates in the body.

It is no secret that sea salt is extracted from the seas, lakes and evaporated under the influence of the sun and wind. Unlike other species, it can be small, medium and coarse. Sea salt contains in its composition the most important microelements for the organism. It is considered to be a truly natural and useful component. The composition of sea salt includes iodine, magnesium, bromine, iron, zinc and silicon. It is recommended to choose dieticians for those people who are watching their health and weight. Recently, sea salt with unusual components has been in great demand. Among them is a product with laminaria. Dried seaweed is added to this salt. It includes organic compounds of iodine. This component is stored in the product throughout the storage period, as well as during the preparation of not only cold but also hot dishes. As additional additives in sea salt with kelp, spices, herbs and even bread are added. Surprisingly, it was from the last component that our ancestors prepared black salt. It was lit in the church and used as a medicine or as a guard.

Interesting facts about salt

On the shelves of shops there are different types of salt. For each of us - this is a spice, which we use every day. However, this product is associated with many interesting facts, of which not everyone knows.

Surprisingly, it is with salt that the name of many dishes is associated. Many years ago, the salad was a mixture of salted vegetables. Thanks to this, its name arose, which is known to us today.

It is with salt that the name sausage is associated with salami. It is made from salted ham. With the everyday product for us, marinade is also connected.

Scientists believe that the daily salt rate may vary. They recommend first of all to pay attention to the time of year and the way of life of a person. In summer, people sweat and lose a lot of liquid and that's why experts allow you to consume up to 20 grams of salt during this period. This rule can also be adhered to by athletes at any time of the year.

Another interesting fact is related to cooking. Surprisingly, coffee lovers can safely add a pinch of spice to the drink. Due to this, it will have a more intense flavor. Good housewives know that it is salt that will help whip egg whites to firm peaks. Do not do without it and when preparing yeast dough.

Salt in the human body

Types of salts in the body and their properties for many remain a mystery. They are involved in the mineral metabolism, which is characterized by the ingress of mineral components into the body. Salt enters our body together with food and water. Then it enters the bloodstream and is transported to the cells of the whole body. The most vital species is salt:

• Sodium;
• Magnesium;
• Potassium;
• Calcium.

Salts that are contained in our body perform a variety of functions. They participate in the formation of enzymes, ensure proper coagulation of blood and normalize the alkaline balance in it. Salts also play an important role in regulating fluid.

Salt in water

Types of salts in water play an important role. It is from them that the rigidity of the fluid important for the life of each person depends. Soft and hard water is characterized by a combination of chemical and physical properties, as well as the amount of alkaline earth metal salts dissolved in it , namely calcium and magnesium.

Fresh water is considered to be water, which contains no more than 0.1% salts. This is the lowest figure. Sea water is considered to be the most saline. The percentage of the substance in it varies up to 35%. The brackish water differs in quantity of salt, which is more than in fresh water, but less than in saltwater. There is also a liquid in which this substance is absent. Water, which does not contain salt and other components, is called distilled water.

Aromatic salts

An important role in our life is played by mineral salts. The species that exist today can surprise everyone. Despite the fact that they are all quite similar in taste, experienced chefs not only distinguish them, but also prefer the most exotic species.

One of the most popular is the Himalayan. It has a pink color. Its deposits were formed about 250 million years ago. The unique color was formed due to the interaction of salt and magma. This spice is clean and natural. Due to its dense consistency, it is often used in construction.
Another popular aromatic salt is Svan. It was formed by combining the spices and spices that are customary for us. You can both prepare it yourself, and buy the finished product.

Black Hawaiian salt

Black Hawaiian salt is considered one of the most exotic and costly. It belongs to marine species and is produced only on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. It includes activated carbon, turmeric and taro. The salt has a solid structure, a mild flavor with nutty notes and an unforgettable aroma. Usually it is used at the end of cooking, as well as decorate it with a ready-made dish.

Korean fried bamboo salt

Table salt we used to use in the form of small crystals of white color. However, every year there are more and more exotic species that amaze with their taste and color. Korean fried bamboo salt is a traditional spice in South-East Asia. The way of its preparation was invented by monks more than 1000 years ago. The collected salt is dried in the sun, and then placed in a bamboo stem. It is covered with yellow clay and fried at the stake. Due to this, all harmful components are removed from the salt.

Persian blue salt

Persian blue salt is considered the rarest. It is distinguished by a pleasant blue color, which was created due to the high content of mineral substances. It is unusually useful and in demand.
Persian blue salt is used in the preparation of the most exquisite and expensive dishes. Experienced cooks say that her taste is revealed in stages.

Summing up

Salt is a spice that almost every one of us consumes daily. It can affect the body both positively and negatively. Many types of salt are significantly different from the product that we add to food. They differ not only in color but also in taste. Exotic types of salt are most in demand among cooks.

Unfortunately, with the regular use of excessively salty foods, the general condition of the body can be disturbed. That is why it is important to know its daily rate, which you have read in our article.