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One of the only rocks commonly eaten by humans, salt is a mineral that should be used in moderation but is a vital dietary component nonetheless.
It occurs naturally in the human body, especially in excretions such as tears and sweat -heightened with exercise, which taste just like salt.
It is not just humans who need salt though- all living animals need at least a small amount in their diets. The reason is because it helps to regulate the water content or fluid balance of the body. In fact, the need for salt on the cellular level is so great that if your body does not get enough of it (or loses too much due to excretion), then your body will begin to crave it. You will instinctively begin to crave food containing the mineral. The cravings will not subside until the body feels it has enough.
There are a few different edible types of this mineral to choose from- table, rock, kosher and sea varieties, to name a few. They are all great and add wonderful seasoning to your foods. However, like most things that taste good to the human palate, it must be consumed in moderation.
As important as it is to your body, it can be harmful if consumed in overabundance. Too much sodium chloride (the chemical name for the table version) can lead to high blood pressure, osteoporosis, asthma and hypertension amongst other conditions.
If you are consuming too much, you can try using a substitute- perhaps a low-sodium seasoning, a "lite" version or just reducing the amount you use overall. The average adult should try to consume no more than 6g per day of this element.
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