Salt: Healthy or Unhealthy?
Salt is a mineral I have had a fascination over for a long time. The ancient stories about its price in gold, it’s irresistible trading value, as well as long-standing medicinal use have all contributed.
While it is known that physiologically salt is essential for life, there has been controversial advice about its risks on blood pressure and kidney disease.
What is the truth?
Our body uses salt to maintain fluid balance and pressure levels in the complex system of blood vessels. Salt is essential for nerve and muscle function and works as a chemical messenger at a cellular level.
Salt, or sodium chloride, as formally known promotes good vascular health. A delicate balance between sodium and potassium is required for healthy hydration. Most of us will remember being forced to drink salty tasting drinks when we are suffering dehydration.
During my travels, I have often visited salt spa rooms and enjoyed the effects.
Halotherapy, name coming from the Greek word for “salt” involves breathing in tiny salt particles to improve breathing. Typically, Himalayan salt is used, making the room an attractive pink colour. The recommendation is to spend at least 15-20 minutes resting in the room.
It is considered an alternative treatment for lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs as well as well as skin conditions. It promotes relaxation and usually people drift to sleep.
In the 12th century the practice of visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons, or speleotherapy was common in Eastern Europe. Over time, Eastern European salt mines or caves became popular tourist destinations. People from all over the world visited to inhale the salty air and ease their lung problems.
Salt is a natural and safe ingredient.
It does not have any notable side effects. It is also:
Mucoactive, clearing up mucus from your airways
Antibacterial, helping prevent infections
Anti-inflammatory
Immunity-boosting
Anti-allergic
The microclimate in a salt room is unique. Salt has the natural ability to emit negative ions which converts and damaging positive ions to negative ions. There are claimed that it reduces the negative magnetic effect of electronic devices exposure.
Salt treatment reduces stress, headaches, fatigue, and low mood. Halotherapy claims to increase energy level, boosts mental resistance and immunity, improve the quality of sleep and mood.
So where do I stand?
Eating excess salt, can put pressure on the kidneys to filter it, leading to salt retention and consequently fluid retention and high cardiovascular risk. A single teaspoon of table salt, contains more than the recommended daily limit for adults and children.
Salt should not be avoided as it plays a crucial role for body functioning.
Using Himalayan salt for wellness therapy such as halotherapy is safe and could be not just beneficial but also very relaxing. Taping on the old wisdom, can promote good health.
Next time you are on holiday, and if available try the salt room. It is my favourite!
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