Food
There are practically no foods that are definitely harmful or beneficial. Problems begin with a shortage or an excess of, this also applies to salt. Its increased intake is a path to cardiovascular diseases, but a lack of salt in the diet is not always desirable.
Is salt harmful?
Salt is very necessary for the human body. It consists of sodium and chlorine ions, which are important for the vital functions of the body.
Sodium supports metabolic processes at the intracellular and interstitial levels, it allows you to retain fluid in the cells and tissues of the body.
Chlorine is also involved in regulating the circulation of fluid in the cells and is necessary for the synthesis of hydrochloric acid - a component of gastric juice.
The excess salt in the first place, leads to the fact that the body begins to linger fluid. This affects the weight gain, and also negatively affects the work of the internal organs.
Especially dangerous is a surplus of salt in diseases of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system. In their presence, it is recommended to limit the salt in the diet.
Is it possible to harm yourself with a salt-free diet?
With the complete rejection of salt, the consequences are the most unfavorable: general deterioration of health, nausea, loss of appetite, aversion to food, impaired digestion against the background of reduced production of hydrochloric acid, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
However, in real life, with sufficient nutrition, it is unlikely to encounter them. The diet of the modern person includes many ready-made products. This is an abundance of cheeses, various types of fish and meat, processed smoked or salted, canned vegetables and meat, sausages, bread.
All of the above has salt in its composition. Therefore, even if a person completely refuses to add additional salt to the food, it will be difficult to bring himself to the real salt deficit.
When is it better to do without salt?
Reducing the amount of salt in the diet is extremely important for weight loss. “If a patient has no pathologies, such a diet is very conducive to the removal of excess fluid from the body, which facilitates the work of the heart and kidneys. By the way, diseases of these organs are often a direct consequence of the abuse of too salty foods. ”
Salt consumption recommended by the World Health Organization is about 5 g per day, which corresponds to one teaspoon.
It must be remembered that we are talking about all the salt added to food, including that found in finished products. If you add some salt to the food already on the plate, this salt is also taken into account.
What you need to know if you limit yourself in salt by yourself?
Independently limit yourself in salt is possible, but not in any conditions. If it is a hot season, or a hot climate, it is undesirable to reduce the amount of salt. During the heat, the body loses a lot of salt with sweat, and this is the case when, when limiting salt in the diet, you can detect the above symptoms of salt deficiency.
Under normal conditions, the easiest way to reduce the amount of salt is to stop eating fast food, ready-made snacks, smoked foods, pickles, cheese, and other foods that contain too much salt. Go to the boiled meat, vegetables and fruits - they contain both sodium and chlorine.
Even in this case, the organism will receive the minimum amount of salt necessary for vital activity.
How to go on a salt-free diet, if you are accustomed to eat everything salty?
As in any changes, it is better not to stretch, but immediately go on a salt-free diet and be patient for a while. Just two weeks is enough for taste buds to adapt to the new diet. And then all unsalted food will no longer seem fresh. At first, you can stop salting dishes during cooking and slightly spice them in a plate.
Another simple technique to speed up getting used to unsalted food: use spices and spices that enhance the taste of dishes.
What should be remembered
Limiting oneself in salt in the existing conditions is useful, many therapeutic diets are salt-free. Two weeks is enough to get used to new tastes. Just do not limit yourself to salt in the heat - there is a risk of harm to health.