The Surprising Health Benefits of Salt

Although excessive sodium can cause a variety of health problems, ranging from edema to hypertension, modest amounts of salt is good for the health. After all, body fluids are made from a combination of sodium and water. In today’s post, we are listing down the surprising health benefits of salt:

Promotes Better Oral Health

Natural sea salt contains a small amount of fluoride. This mineral promotes better oral health by protecting the teeth enamel from damage caused by acidic compounds. Fluoride reduces cavities and caries that cause gum inflammation. Rinsing and gargling with water spiked with sea salt heal mouth ulcers, treats bleeding gums and soothes a sore throat. Salt also kills oral bacteria that cause gum disease.

Soothes Arthritic Pains

Salt is a proven effective remedy for arthritis. Studies show that dead sea salt contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds that ease swollen joints and painful soft tissues. In fact, most wellness centers and spas offer sea salt baths for therapeutic relief from arthritic pain. You can get the same effects by adding a couple of cups of sea salt to your warm bath water. Regular salt baths ease painful, inflamed joints and alleviate stressed muscles.

Treats Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is a condition that affects the nasal cavity. This condition is caused by inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, causing sneezing fits, runny nose, congestion, inflamed sinuses, and itchy eyes. Although you can always pop a pill to soothe rhinosinusitis symptoms, you can also turn to salt to relieve congestion and reduce sinus inflammation.

Nasal irrigation is a traditional method of flushing the nasal cavity with saline solution using a Neti pot. A Neti pot is a vessel with a long spout used for nasal irrigation. It works by rinsing the nasal cavity of mucus to relieve rhinosinusitis. Studies show that salt helps reduce inflammation of the sinuses, relieving nasal allergies just like your average steroids.

Ease Respiratory Inflammation

Apart from soothing rhinosinusitis, salt has the ability to reduce inflammation that leads to respiratory issues. Saline solution effectively thins out thick mucus that’s hard to expel. A pinch of natural salt is a traditional treatment for common cough, asthma, allergies, and other respiratory ailments. Some practitioners believe that salt therapy is just as effective as modern drugs. When taken in moderation, natural salt does not have any side effects.

Re-Balances Electrolyte Level in the Body

A healthy balance of electrolytes is critical to the health. Balanced electrolytes ensure optimum blood composition, muscular strength, circulation, and overall functioning of the organs. To keep the electrolytes balanced, there should be an equal amount of minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Unbalanced electrolytes cause chronic fatigue, recurring muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, fluctuating blood pressure, bone disorders, and confusion. A little natural or sea salt helps rebalance the electrolytes in the body, promoting optimum health.

Heals Skin Disease

Natural salt is an excellent remedy for various skin conditions and their respective complications, including psoriasis, psoriasis arthritis, and eczema. Salt eases itching and scaliness, drying out skin lesions and killing pathogens that could cause skin infections. One of the best ways to use salt to treat skin disease is by diluting several cups in warm bath water. Regular salt baths improve circulation, boosts skin moisture, and reduces skin inflammation.