How is table salt made?
All salts are composed of sodium chloride. But table salt is made by evaporating natural salt and subjecting it to very high temperatures. This activity destroys its beneficial properties (iodine).
Generally, sea salt in its unrefined form has a grayish hue. However, table salt looks shiny and glistening.
This is due to its purification process. Essential minerals and all other impurities are removed in this process.
Also, artificial chemicals such as sodium aluminosilicate, silicon dioxide, magnesium carbonate are added to table salt to inhibit the salt’s ability to absorb moisture from the air.
Can table salt cause gastric cancer?
A recent study was conducted to find that high salt intake can cause gastric cancer.
The study, which included 470,000 participants, classified them into three groups: those who always used table salt in their diet, those who rarely used it, and those who never used table salt.
Also, urinary sodium, creatinine and potassium levels were measured to assess 24-hour urinary sodium excretion. Apart from that, various factors including age, sex, education level, physical activity, alcohol consumption, meat intake and fruit and vegetable intake were calculated in the analysis.
The study, followed for an average of 10.9 years, found that 640 people who always added salt to their diet had a 41% chance of developing gastric cancer. This has actually caused quite a stir among people who use too much table salt.
Other Disadvantages of Using Table Salta
Consuming too much table salt in daily diet also leads to various diseases like gout, kidney stones, gallstones, liver problems, high blood pressure, heart failure, nervous system disorders, Alzheimer’s and muscular dystrophy.
Ways to avoid adding too much salt
Keeping in mind that adding too much salt to your daily diet can cause gastric cancer, you can follow the suggestions given below to reduce your salt intake.
Salt is essential to enhance the taste of food. However, spices and herbs can be used instead of salt.
Food prepared in restaurants is often high in salt. So, cook and eat at home as much as possible to avoid them.
When buying any food product, check the food labels and choose foods that are low in sodium.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible. This is because such foods are often high in added sodium.
Thus by making some changes in the diet one can reduce the excess salt intake as much as possible. Apart from that, it can protect against gastric cancer and other health problems.
