HOW GOOD IS SALT FOR USE: RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF SALT DAILY

‘ Ah ah... Did you pour the whole pack of sugar into this garri?’
“What’s the problem? Is it too much?”
‘Abeg get me salt let me ‘dilute’ the sugar jare... I’m too young  to get diabetes’
“Where did you hear that one?”



Where did you hear it abeg? Who told you?
 It’s funny the things we spout so easily and confidently when all we have to back it up is hearsay or common sense.
Salt or sodium chloride is probably one of the most popular substances in the world, next to sugar. How amazing that two items at opposite ends of a spectrum, are both seemingly indispensible – at the same time.


Salt and spoon



As widespread a commodity that it is , it certainly has earned itself the ‘hype’. Salt does far more than make food eatable.
Salt – iodized salt to be exact, contains iodine which is a mineral  essential for the well-being and proper functioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland regulates lots of metabolic activities in the body. A whole lot of problems arise when you don’t give your thyroid what it wants and needs, e.g goitre.
Salt also helps prevent low blood pressure and dehydration.



Salt picture



Before you start unleashing hell on your next meal, do know that too much salt does a lot of harm too. Because of the amount of sodium it contains(which is also why it is usually called sodium ), too much salt can upset the sodium-potassium ion balance of the body and lead to increased risk of heart attacks , can cause abnormal water retention, osteoporosis – a condition where loss of calcium from the body affects the bones, and possibly stomach cancer et cetera.


The recommended amount is around a teaspoon daily(yes, a teaspoon). And may still vary among people due to age and health conditions.



Plate of salt



Back to the first scenario, salt has not been found to counter or dilute sugar, instead it has been linked to worsening diabetes symptoms and conditions as a whole.


 Do you prefer your food salty or not? Was I repeating what you already knew or was it helpful? Will the teaspoon guideline be practicable for you?


 Share in the comments.

12 comments

  1. Nice work my G,i don learn something from you today

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  2. Bobby this is good
    I won't dare to prefer salt food
    Rather I go with sugary food, I will cost less harm than that of salty food
    #2
    Nop u weren't repeating what I know
    Thanks for the information
    #3 tea spoon can't be so perfect in gauge my salt
    But I have to stick with it depending on the quantity of the food
    # information is power

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    Replies
    1. Haha... Thanks for sharing
      Sugar or salt, moderation is key... Your health status too will determine if you can be flexible, rigid or abstinent from them altogether

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  3. Sugar or salt, everything should be moderate. These two have both good and bad effects on our health. Imagine how salt kills and shrinks an earthworm, that should show how dangerous excessive intake of it can be

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    Replies
    1. Haha... Very true that moderation is key.
      Thank you very much for sharing

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  4. This is an interesting topic Triple B.
    Eating raw salt is never a good idea, we are advised to add it to food during cooking as the heat could help break some complex bonds.
    Has anyone observed that when you sprinkle salt on a surface and leave it, after a while. it collects water from the atmosphere and becomes somewhat wet. That's exactly what it does in our system eventually increasing the blood volume and raising blood pressure.
    You can work to burn off the extra "sugar" but extra salt leaves you all bloated and puffy, lol.
    I can't go for salty food.

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    Replies
    1. Woaahhh... That was so much wonderful information. You explained stuff I couldn't get into in detail and I really appreciate it.
      Thanks so much for sharing Jay P

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