I've heard that salt can dehydrate AND hydrate our bodies - so what does it really do?

Question

For instance, I've read in a magazine that drinking saltwater would dehydrate our bodies, but I've also heard that salt is also necessary to maintain the water in our bodies while we exercise. So what is true?

BTW Is it salt or actually sodium (can they be interchangable) ?

Good evidence would be necessary for a good answer :D
Thanks if you're actually trying to help

~Wendy

Answer 1

For all intents and purposes, salt and sodium are the same thing.
An intake of too much salt will cause your body to retain water which could in turn lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.
However, your body does require a certain amount of salt to function properly. It keeps the fluid that you do need in your body. Don't obsess over it too much. Most regular diets are ok. Just don't add too much salt to the food you eat, consider switching to a salt substitute if you're concerned, and drink plenty of water.

Answer 2

Salt water and table salt are made up of two totally differant compounds.
Table salt which is made up of sodium plus chloride.
Salt water is made during the movement of water (a solvent) on land over time. The components of rocks (a solute) are eroded and become a part of a salty solution.
Salt water is made up of, yes, some sodium chloride (like table salt) but also contains more compounds including sodium plus iodine and bromine.
It is the other compounds that salt water contains that makes it undrinkable. It will dehydrate you and make you very sick because our bodies can't take out the salt that is in the water. If you have ever gone swimming in the ocean and got hit with a wave and accidently took in some of the water you might notice that after a little bit your stomach might hurt, it is not fatal with small intakes like this, but you will notice that your body will have trouble dealing with the compounds that make up salt water.
Yes we do need the sodium chloride (table salt) in our systems which does help maintain health. It actually will help you stay hydrated. Of course the sodium chloride in excess is not good for you either cause in excess the body won't be able to break that down either, and there for you have high cholesterol and all the issues that can go with that.
By the way I mentioned earlier about water being a solvent and the components of rocks are a solute. A solvent is the substance doing the dissolving, (which is half the solution) and a solute is the substance being dissolved. So solute+solvent=solution
Hope this helps

Answer 3

Never consume sodium, salt is sodium chloride, have you ever seen the experiment in school when they put a piece of sodium in water, they react and a lot of heat is released. Your body is about 75% water.
Salt help to regulate water in your body. If there is too much salt you will retain water and be bloated, if there is not enough salt your body will not be able to hold on to enough water and despite drinking water you will be dehydrated. If you're exercising you need to hold on to more water because you need it to turn fat into energy.
If you want more detailed info you can find it here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmoregulation

Answer 4

Vampires aren't real. I'm very pale, and I have pointed canines too. I assure you, I am NOT a vampire. Lol. Some people have vampire-like teeth. Its just a trait. So yes, the kid looks like his grandma. I love vampires- traditional, not the twilight kind- but I know how to seperate reality from fiction. Lol. :)

Answer 5

i found these links

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/daily-sodium-intake.htm


http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/healthy_eating/salt_intake.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/242068/healthy_ways_to_reduce_your_daily_diets.html


based on these links salt is vital they dont say cut out all salt they say reduce the amount hope these help


http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=336