A look at the science behind fluoride safety and public health
Most households have salt, and people are familiar with it for cooking. But what is it, really? Salt is a mineral known as sodium chloride (NaCl) that is essential to the health of people and animals.
An electrolyte imbalance can result in dangerous side effects. These include an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, confusion, muscle weakness, twitching, and more.
Influencers on platforms like TikTok have been posting recently about the benefits of adding salt to water and consuming it. These short videos often don't explain the whole story.
Drinking water will always help hydrate your active body. Adding a tiny amount of salt to this drinking water can help replenish electrolytes lost when exercising.
Salt can help promote digestion when it's consumed in moderation. A study found in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine said that salt water can help with bowel movements.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Electrolytes are substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells."
Salt may also increase the secretion of digestive fluids, thereby helping food breakdown in the stomach and enhancing the absorption of nutrients.
Saltwater can be used to help cleanse your colon. It can also treat chronic constipation and help detox your body.
Drinking non-iodized salt and water can have a laxative effect that can help clean out your body. There isn't scientific evidence that explicitly states this as fact but anecdotal evidence suggests the salt and water combo to be helpful.
Consuming a small amount of salt water on an empty stomach can help balance electrolytes and hydrate the body, which could help reduce water retention.
While salt in water could help with some weight loss, it's essential to seek professional medical advice before consuming too much salt.
Many drinks designated for sports contain 250 milligrams or more of sodium. It may be better to drink this when exercising, so you can track exactly how much sodium you're taking in as opposed to guessing with homemade salt water.
Social media trends suggest that using Celtic or Himalayan salts is best. However, there isn't a significant nutritional difference between these salts.
If you want to add salt to your water, then use one-sixteenth of a teaspoon salt added to 8 to 12 ounces (236 to 354 ml) of water.
If cortisol levels are lower, then it can lead to reduced stress and anxiety. Salt in moderation can help you feel better in that regard.
Many sites you might see online say to add a "pinch" of salt to a glass of water. This can lead to you consuming too much salt as it isn't a precise measurement.
It has been said that salt in water can help regulate cortisol, the stress hormone.
If you are trying to replace the sodium you've lost through exercise, it's very difficult to know exactly how much to replace without an actual blood test. Therefore, you can be at a greater risk of consuming too much salt, which may result in negative effects.
If you consume too much salt water, it can cause symptoms like diarrhea and dehydration, and ultimately, it could damage your kidneys.
Experts recommended to only drink salt water once a day, particularly after a lot of exercise if you've sweated a lot.
There isn't proven evidence that drinking salt water is good for the skin. However, topically using salt water can help. The mineral content, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium, may have antibacterial properties.
Though there are some benefits of topical salt water use on your face and skin, there are also consequences. It can worsen conditions such as acne and eczema.
Salt is made through mining, evaporating seawater or brines, and using artificial heat.
According to the US Geological Survey, "When salt is mixed with water, the salt dissolves because the covalent bonds of water are stronger than the ionic bonds in the salt molecules."
Ultimately, it's unlikely that you need to be drinking salt water. While there are some possible pros to it, the cons can outweigh them. It is important to seek medical advice before making any changes such as adding salt water to your diet.
Sources: (Healthline) (USGS) (USA Today Life) (Verywell Health) (GQ) (Heath Shots) (Britannica) (Today) (FDA) (Times Entertainment) (Clevland Clinic)
Sodium, a chemical element found in salt, plays an important role in hydrating your body. It acts like a magnet and draws water into cells, which helps maintain hydration.
Additionally, comas, seizures, and cardiac arrests can occur if the electrolyte imbalance is serious enough.
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Is drinking salt water the newest fad?
How can this trend impact you?
HEALTH Trending
Across social media platforms, influencers have been boasting about the health benefits associated with drinking salt water. In their viral short-form videos though, it's often hard to capture all the pros and cons. In this gallery, you'll learn more about salt, how it interacts with water, and the health benefits (and disadvantages) of drinking salt water. Ultimately, you'll be able to answer the question "Is drinking salt water right for me?"
Curious about the trending salt water advice? Click through now to learn more.