What The Salt!
Aaaah salt, the flavor of the gods.
Gifted to us by Mother Earth herself, a crystalline mineral or miracle — whatever you’d prefer.
A must-have seasoning delight that has us all reaching for more, but while there are endless myths and tales of salt being the enemy, we’re here to tell you… its worthy in moderation.
We all know that our salty friend can take a dish from tasteless to tasteFUL with just the power of a sprinkle. But have you ever enjoyed your salted meals guilt-free?
Plot twist, sodium chloride (a.k.a salt) is in fact vital for good health, when taken in moderation and with respect for what it is and where it comes from, just as nature intended.
But to respect such a divine ingredient, we must at first understand what it does for our bodies. From regulating nerve impulses, to balancing cell-structures and reducing stress, it’s safe to say that these little dimes deserve a seat at our tastebud table.
Let’s get FACTUAL.
Salt is a natural mineral found in the rock mines, oceans and our ancient inland lakes. It’s harvested and sourced from all over the world in places like the Punjab province in Pakistan, the salt lakes of Utah, and the celtic coastal ponds of France — to name but a few.
According to WHO (World Health Organization) our recommended daily intake of salt should be around 2 grams. Even if you were to consume Mala Girl three times a day, there would still be room for more, and that’s even with our Soulfull Classic, our saltiest girl.
When we let salt do its thing, to be organic, minimal and oh so delicious, the health benefits just keep on comin’. But when we over-refine and add those naughty preservatives, we strip salt of all its minerals and sacrifice its natural, enriching taste!
The finer details..
- The sodium in salt helps us to maintain a healthy weight and metabolism by sending signals to our nerves and muscles that burn energy faster and encourage the movement of fluid in and out of our cells.
- Salt helps us to minimize the risk of infection in our bodies due to its innate antimicrobial properties, acting as a defense against bacteria.
- Chloride is necessary for producing stomach acid that is vital for nutrient absorption and therefore aids good digestion.
- It helps balance out our PH levels and hormones as sodium is essential for this function and so keeps that mischievous cortisol at bay by reducing stress levels and maintaining equilibrium in our bodies. Which is what salt and Mala Girl are all about!
But what we really want to know is what salts are best and how do we choose? This depends on your personal preference of course and also your dish of choice. However himalayan salt, rock salt, sea salt and celtic sea salt tend to be the premier league players; when sourced in a natural and an unrefined form. All of which have their own unique taste and health features.
So next time you’re in the supermarket searchingfor the cure to your salty cravings or sipping on an ala’māla girl, remember salt can be your friend in moderation of course!.
Resources:
https://www.drstevenlin.com/salt-good-for-you/
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/6-things-about-salt-that-arent-true