Iodized kosher salt is an important and essential ingredient in the diet of Jewish people. It is known to contain a high level of the natural mineral sodium.
An average dietary intake of sodium should be less than 2.5 grams daily. However, most people may consume much more. The amount of sodium in a typical household salt container can vary from two to five grams.
This high amount of sodium can cause significant health problems such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, and high blood sugar levels. Because of these risks, the dietary restrictions and requirements for salt should be observed.
Salt is produced by evaporation from the atmosphere. Natural mineral salts of the earth do not contain the amount of sodium found in most table salt containers. In addition, salt has the highest concentration of potassium and other elements that help to maintain healthy health.
Kosher salt is mined from salt deposits that occur naturally in many places including Russia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Venezuela, the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Ecuador, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and Ghana. These deposits were first discovered in 1872 in West Africa.
There are also deposits of natural minerals in sea water and salt beds on beaches in Israel and throughout the world. These natural deposits have been mined only rarely and the amount is only a few thousand tons.
Salt from naturally occurring sources is the purest form of the mineral salts that nature has created. Its high purity ensures that the only effects on the body are those of salt.
Chloride is naturally occurring. Its ability to dissolve substances in the bloodstream makes it the main component of salt. This element helps to neutralize other chemicals, thereby reducing the potential for medical conditions that could result from a build up of chloride in the body.
Iodine is another element in salt that is naturally present. While iodine is not very high in concentration, it does have a positive effect on the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the United States.
Potassium is also an important mineral for many of the health benefits that it provides. Potassium helps to maintain proper blood pressure levels. It also helps to maintain muscle function, to help the digestive system to process food properly, and to maintain adequate energy.
Potassium deficiency, while rare, can result in symptoms such as slow metabolism, fatigue, constipation, lethargy, nausea, upset stomach, and stomach cramps. In addition, patients who are deficient in potassium are likely to have high blood pressure.
The concentrations of sodium and chloride in salt play an important role in the health of the body. A high amount of sodium can result in a number of serious medical conditions and excessive intake of chloride can result in high blood pressure and the development of kidney stones.
