Edible salt

:For sour salt, see calcium citrate or citric acid.

Related Topics:
Calcium citrate - Citric acid

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Edible salt is a mineral, one of the few rocks people eat. There are different forms of it: unrefined salt, refined salt, table salt or iodised salt. It is a crystalline solid, white, pale pink or light grey in colour, obtained from seawater or from rock deposits. Sea salt comes in fine or larger crystals. In nature it includes not only sodium chloride, but also other vital trace minerals. Edible rock salts may be slightly greyish in colour due to trace mineral content. Salt is necessary for the survival of all living creatures, including humans. Salt is involved in regulating the water content (fluid balance) of the body. Salt flavor is one of the basic tastes. Salt cravings may be caused by trace mineral deficiencies as well as by a deficiency of sodium chloride itself.

Related Topics:
Salt - Sodium chloride - Basic taste

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Salt is required for life, but overconsumption can increase the risk of health problems, including high blood pressure. In food preparation, salt is used as a preservative and as a seasoning.

Related Topics:
High blood pressure - Preservative - Seasoning

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