For the longest time I used to shun salt. I was afraid that if I consumed any, I’d get fat or possibly break out. (I know, ridiculous mental inhibition to just live life).
But as silly as this sounds, I’m not alone. There are a lot of people (most, actually) that fear any consumption of salt will result in them holding water weight or increase their chances of developing Heart Disease.
While a highly refined, low-quality, acidic diet high in animal products has been shown to be linked with almost all major diseases of affluence (of which salt / sodium is VERY prevalent in), there is misguided notion when it comes to cutting salt out completely.
This is all pretty new to me, therefore I dove into researching the truth about salt and came up with some really incredible facts. I published the following piece (though edited) on True Activist (will link when it’s live), and thought that you deserved to know about salt and all it’s incredible benefits. If consumed in the morning on an empty stomach, Sole (you’ll read about it below) may help you regulate your system and balance your health. Happy Reading!
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Pure salt is either praised or feared in the western world, with few too many physicians and even less of the public clear on it’s for detoxification and healing.
Known as Sole in many corners of the world (pronounced So-lay), salt water solution is a life-enhancing solution that supports the body’s natural ability to regulate and heal itself. The term Sole comes from the Latin “sol”, which means sun. In India, it is a common practice to drink salt water upon rising – something that would seem counter-intuitive to the Western world which has been taught salt is detrimental to health. But if 100% natural salt is used to make a concentrated solution, such a mixture is incredibly healing and good for your body.
Really, It’s Good for You.
Unrefined salt is actually incredibly beneficial for your body. It helps to balance blood sugar, keep your bones strong, regulate your metabolism, boost your immune system, and more!
Natural salt provides a number of nutrients and minerals (over 80 if one is counting) that the body recognizes and knows how to use. These minerals in naturally filtered salt water to create unrefined sea salt give it its vital grayish appearance and its slight moistness keep the salt and minerals in a form that the body can use.
What Happens When It Is Added to Filtered Water?
When salt is added to pure, filtered water, positive ions in the salt surround the negative ions of the water molecules, and vice versa. In result, a new structure is formed that has an electrical charge that is easily absorbed by the body. Simply put, water is no longer water, and salt is no longer just salt.
When ingested, the electrical charge in the solution works with the body to send electrical signals between cells, and has also been shown to assist the kidneys in maintaining fluid balance within the body.
As shared before, such a mixture in the morning is nothing new – many civilizations have used it as a healing aid around the globe for centuries. But now anecdotal and scientific evidence also supports its use for the following:
1) Hydration
Everyone knows they need to drink more water, but according to Matt Stone, author of Eat for Heat: A Metabolic Approach to Food and Drink, consuming too much plain water can actually cause the body to become over-diluted.
When this occurs, it can put a tremendous strain on the body and slows metabolism. Because cellular health is dependent on a particular concentration of mineral and electrolytes, drinking large amounts of water can result in an unintended result. When extracellular fluid becomes diluted, this creates a stress response and the release of adrenalin. Stone says, “No other creature is so removed from its instinctual programming to the point of accidentally over drinking.”
When one consumes water with natural salt, the body can actually absorb and use the water you are taking in.
2) Digestion
The process of digestion begins in the mouth, and consuming salt activates the salivary glands in the mouth which release amylase. This initial step for digestion is highly important. In the stomach, natural salt stimulates hydrochloric acid and a protein-digesting enzyme, both which help to break down food. It also stimulates secretions in the intestinal tract and liver to help with digestion. If one consumes Sole often, they may also experience regularity and increased absorption as well.
3) Sleep
Trace minerals of unrefined sea salt may calm the nervous system. Salt is known to reduce cortisol and adrenaline, two dangerous stress hormones, therefore consuming a mixture of Sole can help promote a better night’s sleep.
4) Detoxification
Because of the abundant minerals salt provides, drinking it with water can aid in detoxification. Sole is also naturally antibacterial and can therefore help rid the body of bacteria which may be harmful to health.
5) Bone Health
A popular theory that surrounds osteoporosis and other bone disorders is that calcium and other minerals are used by the body in order to survive and neutralize acidity in the bloodstream. Because salt-water solution is full of healthy minerals and has an alkalizing effect, it is thought to help improve bone health.
6) Skin
If you seek healthy, glowing skin, drinking Sole may help you attain it. The minerals in the mixture are known to promote healthy skin: Chromium can help a dry scalp and reduces skin infections; sulfur keeps skin clean and smooth, and can help a dry scalp, eczema, and rashes that are often a result of sulfur deficiency. Zinc promotes rapid healing of wounds, boosts the immune system, and regulates the activity of oil glands. Iodine, as well, helps increase oxygen consumption and the metabolic rate of the skin.
7) Minerals
According to two-time Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling, “you can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.” Minerals are the foundation to sound nutrition and health; without them, no other system in the body works as it should.
When amino acids and enzymes don’t work because of vital mineral deficiency, vitamins and minerals do not get broken down or absorbed. Because most soil is depleted in minerals and the majority of the population consumes a highly refined diet, mineral deficiencies are more common than ever. Sole, made with unrefined, mineral-rich, naturally obtained sea salt, is a rich source of vital minerals like barium, bismuth, chromium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, titanium, and B2 trace minerals.
As shared on The Alternative Daily, the following are also reported benefits of drinking Sole on an empty stomach each morning:
- Improves energy
- Reduces blood sugar
- Reduces muscle cramps
- Regulates the hormonal system
- Results in healthy veins
- Aids in weight loss
You can create your own jar of Sole by following the recipe outlined here, or by simply beginning with a ¼ – ½ tsp of sea salt in a 8 oz. jar of water each morning.
*NOTE* High sodium intake (prevalent in those who consume standard American fare – high saturated fat foods, highly processed foods, low-quality animal products) has been linked with atherosclerosis (heart disease), obesity, stroke, and other diseases of affluence.
Consider only beginning this regimen AFTER you have followed a plan to eliminate refined, processed foods from your diet and have detoxed for at least 3-4 weeks, and have shifted to a high-quality plant-based lifestyle.
Allow your perception surrounding salt and it’s slandering to be reconsidered. You can be healthy by consuming salt water every morning, along with a healthy diet and commitment to positive, vibrant living.
