Not all of us know that the use of certain products familiar to us can be fatal to humans. These include: alcohol, caffeine, s alt, and even water. It is important to observe the measure in everything. It would seem that the human body in a lifetime should have time to adapt to everything, but this is far from the case. One of the most harmful substances that most people eat in huge quantities every day without knowing it is s alt.
What is s alt?
We are all used to hearing about s alt every day, but few of us have thought about what it is, what benefits or harm this substance brings.
Some say with complete certainty that there is a certain lethal dose of s alt for humans. It is worth looking into this issue. Table s alt (or the kind that a person is used to using in food) is a natural mineral substance. Its first extraction was carried out many centuries ago. According to the chemical content, we can say that table s alt is sodium chloride in the form of crystals. It includes 60.6% chlorine and 39.4% sodium. S alt is highly soluble in water. Despite the fact that many are inclined to believe that a lethal dose of s alt does exist, it is, first of all, in moderation, the basis of human life.
Properties and functions of s alt
S alt, which is habitual for us, is the most important food additive for humans. It is usually sold in powdered form. It happens that in table s alt there are some additives that can only change its color and taste, but not the main properties.
Other names of s alt: table, stone, food. Or such a chemical name as sodium chloride. In modern production, they began to prepare s alt with various additives: iodine, fluorine, magnesium, calcium and others. Many housewives will note another of its useful properties - the use of s alt in canning. Thanks to this, vegetables and fruits can be stored in jars for a long time and delight us with their taste and benefits on cold winter evenings. Despite the fact that there is an opinion that there is a lethal dose of s alt for a person, the substances contained in it are vital for the body. For example, sodium, found in s alt, constantly maintains the osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and water-s alt metabolism of the human body at the right level. Due to the optimal content of sodium, the muscles of the heart, intestines and kidneys, and nerve endings work well. Chlorine is also important for the body: it breaks down fats, removes urea, supports the functioning of the central nervous and reproductive systems, and has a positive effect on bone tissue.
Benefits of s alt for the human body
It is important to know that s alt is not formed in the human body. It must be supplied in the required quantity from external sources. S alt is completely absorbed in the small intestine, and excreted with the help of sweat glands, intestines and kidneys. Here it will be relevant to say about dehydration of the human body, which can easily occur with excessive loss of water (diarrhea or vomiting). In this case, even death is possible. Therefore, with such a diagnosis, it is urgent to replace the lost balance of water and the s alt contained in it. Of course, there is a lethal dose of s alt for humans, but a moderate amount of it, eaten, is the main source of chlorine and sodium in the body. If these substances in the organs and systems of the human body become insufficient, the following symptoms occur: general weakness, tachycardia, low blood pressure, involuntary muscle contraction, etc.
Is s alt used in medicine?
While mankind is "puzzling" over the solution of the question of what is the lethal dose of s alt, it is perfectly used for the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases.
For example, colds of the nose can be cured by washing it with sodium chloride solution. This not only helps to moisturize its mucous membrane, but also kills numerous viruses and bacteria that have settled in it. S alt water enemas help a person cope with constipation, as they make the intestines work. In general, table s altstimulates the digestive tract, improving digestion by increasing the production of gastric acid.
Types of table s alt
Modern food industry has begun supplying markets with s alt of unknown brands and types. Its cost is sometimes significantly overestimated. Is it justified, is such s alt useful? And how much can you eat? A lethal dose of s alt, whatever it looks like, still exists, so you shouldn't get too carried away.
According to the method of extraction, there are several types of s alt:
- evaporator: extracted from the bowels, then water is evaporated from it;
- stone: mined in special quarries with appropriate equipment;
- self-precipitating: such s alt itself precipitates, it remains only to be collected;
- seedling: evaporated naturally at the bottom of s alt lakes.
If we talk about types of s alt based on artificial additives to it or special treatments, then they distinguish:
- iodized s alt;
- dietary - has a rather specific taste;
- Thursday, Papuan, Himalayan, Kosher s alt and many others.
Should food be s alted?
There is an opinion that three tablespoons of s alt is a lethal dose for a person that can cause irreversible processes in his body. It cannot be said that, having consumed such an amount of this product, one can die, but harming the body, and quite seriously, is easy. And to avoid such disastrous consequences, you need to knowa normal dose of s alt for him.
It is generally accepted that this is - 1 teaspoon of s alt per day (this is approximately 11 grams of sodium chloride). In those countries where the climate is much hotter and less humid, sweating among local residents is increased, the need for a daily dose of s alt increases significantly, almost 2 times (25-30 grams per day). Well, now think about how much dietary s alt you actually consume per day. Most likely, this figure is much higher than the norm, and it can even be referred to as a lethal dose of s alt, provided that you suffer from any diseases in which this product is contraindicated. In other words, the person in this case is simply slowly killing himself. By the way, the calorie content of s alt is reduced, it is close to zero.
Children's body and s alt. Pregnancy and s alt
We have already found out that s alt is necessary for the human body. She participates in his metabolic processes and vital functions.
Therefore, both the child and the pregnant woman need enough s alt. But, there are small clarifications here:
- When breastfeeding is established, the baby receives the right amount of s alt along with other nutrients and vitamins with mother's milk. Therefore, the first complementary foods do not have to be s alted. Of course, with the growth of the child, with an increase in the need for minerals, s alt should be added to his food, but in moderation.
- Pregnancy is a special condition in which the body is responsible for the growth and development of the baby for nine months. Therefore, the need for s alt in women in an interesting position increases significantly. Of course, you need to know the measure, that is, if edema occurs, reduce the amount of sodium chloride consumed. But it is strictly forbidden for pregnant women to completely exclude s alt from their daily diet.
- The lethal dose of table s alt for babies and expectant mothers is somewhat different, but it is, so do not give your child a lot of sodium chloride, as the immature body may not be able to cope with its excretion.
How much s alt is bad for an adult?
This question has been asked by scientists and doctors around the world for many years, trying to find the most accurate answer to it. So, let's discuss how many tablespoons of s alt is a lethal dose for one person? After all, we consume it in large quantities per day. Still, it is customary to talk about grams of s alt that can harm the human body, and they make up 3 g / kg of weight. That is, if the average person eats a quarter of a pack of table s alt (250 g), he will die. Yes it is. Especially if at the same time he did not use the proper amount of liquid. And ate it in one sitting. The pressure will immediately increase, edema will appear, pulmonary and brain edema will occur, in short, you are guaranteed a lethal outcome.
S alt poisoning
Of course, in this case we are talking about a daily violation in the amount of sodium chloride consumed. among the peopleThey say that 3 tablespoons of s alt is a lethal dose. But is it? It is difficult to apply this norm to each specific person, because we all have different weight and height, and the distribution of all substances used in the body of a single person is different.
Therefore, scientists tend to believe that the lethal dose of s alt for humans is 3 g/kg of body weight. These norms were obtained by conducting the necessary experiments on rats. Of course, it is difficult to compare animals and humans. Usually the first of them are much easier to be poisoned by s alt, since they do not consume the proper amount of water per day. This only worsens the situation that is detrimental to their body. How to understand what happens in our body when an excess amount of s alt gets there? Immediately, the pressure rises sharply due to a change in the composition of the blood. The person feels very bad. Dehydration sets in, the work of the nervous system is disrupted. The result of these irreversible consequences: the death of the human body due to insufficient supply of the required amount of oxygen to its tissues and organs.
S alt as a life-threatening habit
It turns out that the statement "3 tablespoons of s alt is a lethal dose" is not entirely true. Therefore, you must calculate this amount specifically for yourself, based on your weight: 3 g per 1 kg of a person's weight. Get used to eating s alt in moderation, and then excess weight, swelling, high blood pressure will never bother you.
Remember that in any business it is important to know the measure. This also applies to the uses alt. It is very important for your body, one might say, vital. But its excessive use in the end can destroy a person.
