Why do we need salt?

Answer 1

We already know that the body contains a lot of water - in fact over 70% of the body is composed of water. But this isn't pure water. It is a salt solution, and as we lose a certain amount of our body fluid every day, we also lose salt, which we must replace. We don't get salt from vegetables and plant food, but we do get it from meat. This is why purely meat-eating animals don't need extra salt, whereas those who eat only vegetation, such as cows, do need extra salt. Because most people eat both vegetables and meat, we only add a very little amount of salt to our meals. If we had no salt at all in our diet, we would soon go mad for lack of it.

Answer 2

Sodium is an essential mineral or micronutrient which along with potassium helps to regulate the body's fluid balance. Unlike other minerals, sodium (or sodium chloride, alias salt) has a recognizable and popular taste, and is widely added to snack foods and other processed foods.

Sodium deficiency is not common, and according to some experts the average Western diet provides more than 5 times the recommended daily allowance of sodium. Excess sodium intake is linked with high blood pressure and heart disease.

Dietary sodium is measured in milligrams (mg). The most common form of sodium used is table salt, which is 40 percent sodium. One teaspoon of table salt contains 2,300 milligrams of sodium.

Answer 3

Salt is a commonly occuring mineral, the technical name of which is sodium chloride. It is the sodium part of salt that is important. The body needs a certain amount of sodium to function properly.
Sodium helps to maintain the concentration of body fluids at correct levels. It also plays a central role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the nerves, and helps cells to take up nutrients.

Answer 4

Salts refer to a whole group of chemicals, but I assume you mean "sodium chloride" (table salt).

Your nerves and muscles rely on sodium and chloride ions to conduct impulses, etc.. You couldnt move, think, or live without sodium or chloride ions.

In addition, Table salt has a chemical added (iodide) that you would probably not normally get otherwise, which prevents a disease known as goiter.

Answer 5

We need different kinds of salt to be rehydrate, to absorb liquids in a best way

Answer 6

body needs salt for body functions

Answer 7

It's a mineral that helps the body regulate blood pressure. It's also needed for muscle and nerve function.

Answer 8

maintain osmolarity...basically ionic concentration.
similar to why a fresh water fish can't be in the ocean and a saltwater fish can't be in fresh water. the body needs to maintain a specific concentration inside cells, as well as outside (blood, lymph, etc.)

Answer 9

what kind of salt?

if it's iodized, i think the reason is to prevent hyperthyroidism...

Answer 10

Definatly because it makes everything taste better. There are however alternatives. They suck.