SALT - THE BENEFITS

Benefits of sodium:

-it stimulates muscle contraction: Salt is important to the nerves, as it stimulates muscle contraction; this will also help prevent your muscles from cramping. 

-it keeps calcium and other minerals in the bloodstream. 

-it stimulates the adrenal glands which produce vital hormones

-it is very important in the prevention of heat prostration and sunstroke, which is very important to remember during hot summer months.

-it contains nutrients vital to the digestive system: salt allows your taste buds to taste the food and it plays a role in digestion by helping to break down food

-it is important for cellular work: Sodium also helps transport other minerals and substances into the cells and out. So if you want to build muscle, you mustn't cut salt from your diet

-it helps your brain communicate with your muscle

Remember, diets too high in sodium can lead to high water retention and hypertension. The max amount of sodium that should be incorporated into a healthy diet should range from 2,400-3,000 mg/day.

Although sodium itself does not cause high blood pressure, excess sodium can contribute to the condition. When the body cannot effectively eliminate sodium, it accumulates in the bloodstream. Since water is attracted to sodium, it rushes into the bloodstream and increases the total blood volume. To circulate this increased blood volume throughout the body, the heart must pump harder. This increases the pressure in the arteries, resulting in high blood pressure. But sodium itself is not directly responsible for high blood pressure this is why reducing your salt intake won’t make a significant difference if your high blood pressure is related to another factor, such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, stress or genetics.

Lack of salt is DANGEROUS! A sodium deficiency is a health condition where a body fails to receive an adequate supply of sodium. Sodium deficiency can become extremely prevalent in excessive temperatures or during prolonged resistance trainings. Sodium deficiency can lead to shock if the blood pressure is decreased too severely.

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