subject: When Salt Is Not What's Missing [print this page] When Salt Is Not What's Missing When Salt Is Not What's Missing
Salt is a natural mineral that can be found either in sea water or in deposits in the earth. It is a mineral that both humans and animals need. It controls how muscles and nerves work as well as fluid balance. In fact, thirst is often an indication that there is too much salt present in the body. The other side of salt is that it has a fairly high sodium content. In humans, high sodium levels can lead to hypertension, increased risk of stroke and premature death from cardiovascular disease. For this reason, it is strongly advised by health experts that the amount of salt consumed on a daily basis be limited to 1 teaspoon.
Now this may be difficult for some who use salt like running water to season everything, but the proof is in your health. Statistics show that 1 in 4 adult Americans has hypertension, high blood pressure is the cause of 3 out of 5 heart failure cases in women, and coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American women claiming over 500,000 lives per year. That said, we have to explore new ways of seasoning our food.
There is an endless list of plant-based herbs that can be used to enhance the flavor of your food such as fresh cilantro, parsley, thyme, dill, oregano, sage, peppercorn, and rosemary. When trying some of these what you will find is that plant-based herbs are really what release the natural flavors in your food. In fact, they usually give your food the flavor that you're attempting to capture by using salt.
So next time you're cooking try some fresh seasonings to spice things up a bit. Your taste buds will no doubt thank you immensely as you will have unlocked flavors never before explored. Moreover, your body will thank you as you have achieved this without the sodium and the associated health risks. Ask any chef and they will tell you that using fresh herbs is the secret to their flavorful cuisines. The truth is that it's never really been about salt. Sure, we need salt for survival, but it is not the end all that be all in terms of flavor.
