🧂 Salt Through History
Chronology of Human Sodium Chloride Consumption
⚡ Salt: The Body’s Electrical Fuel
Salt is not just a seasoning; it is the fundamental component that allows our body to function as a sophisticated electrical system. Without the electrolytes provided by sodium chloride, our cells would be incapable of generating and transmitting the electrical impulses necessary for life.
🔋 Generation of Nerve Impulses
Sodium and chloride create electrochemical gradients that enable neurons to generate and propagate electrical signals. Without these ions, the nervous system simply would not work.
Sodium and chloride create electrochemical gradients that enable neurons to generate and propagate electrical signals. Without these ions, the nervous system simply would not work.
💓 Muscle Contraction
Every heartbeat and muscle movement depends on the exchange of sodium and potassium through cell membranes, creating the action potentials needed.
Every heartbeat and muscle movement depends on the exchange of sodium and potassium through cell membranes, creating the action potentials needed.
🧠 Synaptic Transmission
Communication between neurons requires a delicate electrolyte balance. Sodium facilitates neuronal depolarization, enabling thought and memory.
Communication between neurons requires a delicate electrolyte balance. Sodium facilitates neuronal depolarization, enabling thought and memory.
💧 Cellular Water Balance
Electrolytes maintain proper osmotic pressure, ensuring that cells keep their shape and function, and that nutrients can pass through membranes.
Electrolytes maintain proper osmotic pressure, ensuring that cells keep their shape and function, and that nutrients can pass through membranes.
«The human body is essentially a biological electrical machine, and salt is its primary fuel.»
Mesolithic (≈10,000 B.C.)
1.7 g daily
Hunter-gatherer communities (Bushmen, Yanomami, etc.) obtained sodium almost exclusively from the blood and organs of hunted animals or mineral-rich plant ashes.
Hunter-gatherer communities (Bushmen, Yanomami, etc.) obtained sodium almost exclusively from the blood and organs of hunted animals or mineral-rich plant ashes.
Greco-Roman Classical Era (5th c. B.C. – 1st c. A.D.)
≈ 25 g daily
In the Roman elite, consumption was supported by Mediterranean saltworks and abundant use of garum, a fish sauce with 20% NaCl.
In the Roman elite, consumption was supported by Mediterranean saltworks and abundant use of garum, a fish sauce with 20% NaCl.
High Middle Ages (ca. 1000 A.D.)
≈ 20 g daily
European peasants and monks consumed this amount. In Nordic regions dependent on salted fish, intake could occasionally reach 50–100 g.
European peasants and monks consumed this amount. In Nordic regions dependent on salted fish, intake could occasionally reach 50–100 g.
Northern European Courts & Baltic Fleets (17th century)
50–60 g daily
Quartermaster records describe these intakes as a symbol of abundance and to preserve large volumes of butter, meat, and fish during long winters.
Quartermaster records describe these intakes as a symbol of abundance and to preserve large volumes of butter, meat, and fish during long winters.
France under the Ancien Régime (≈ 1725)
13–15 g daily
Tax rolls from the gabelle show popular consumption stabilized, lower than in the North but still high.
Tax rolls from the gabelle show popular consumption stabilized, lower than in the North but still high.
United States Civil War (1861–1865)
≈ 62 g daily
Estimates based on available salt (50 lb per capita annually); much of it was used for field rations and preserving provisions.
Estimates based on available salt (50 lb per capita annually); much of it was used for field rations and preserving provisions.
Industrial West (1960–1970)
≈ 11 g daily
U.S. national surveys (NHANES) show a decline. Table salt lost prominence compared to that contained in processed products.
U.S. national surveys (NHANES) show a decline. Table salt lost prominence compared to that contained in processed products.
Current Global Average (2023)
≈ 10.8 g daily
Analysis of 187 countries records an average still more than double modern health recommendations, despite the spread of refrigeration.
Analysis of 187 countries records an average still more than double modern health recommendations, despite the spread of refrigeration.
United States Today (2025)
8.5–9 g daily
The average adult consumes this amount; most comes from industrially processed foods and habitual eating out.
The average adult consumes this amount; most comes from industrially processed foods and habitual eating out.
📊 Core Trends in Salt Consumption
1. Pre-Demonization Era (up to 1950)
Average consumption was around 12–15 g/day, linked to preservation and flavor; salt was an indispensable ingredient in the family diet.
2. Demonization Campaign (1950–1980)
Initiated after anti-hypertension studies, it promoted a reduction to 8–10 g per day, lowering intake by 30% over three decades.
3. Low-Sodium & Hydration Movement (2000–present)
With the hydration campaign since 2005, water intake increased; however, recommended salt dropped to 5–7 grams per day per WHO.
4. Current Trend: Balance
Recent studies (2020) suggest a moderate intake of 6–8 grams per liter of water consumed to maintain electrolyte balance without cardiovascular risks.
🔍 Notable Qualitative Shifts
Salt Demonization
Since the 1950s, salt has been linked to hypertension, generating health campaigns that reduced global consumption by about 30%.
Hydration Campaign
Two decades ago, promoting at least 2 liters of daily water intake changed habits; in some cases, it led to lower sodium intake.
Scientific Reassessment
Current research warns that levels below 5 grams of salt per liter of water may cause imbalances and fatigue; adjustment is recommended based on activity and climate.
🛒 Recommended Natural Salt
Redmond Real Sea Salt
This unrefined sea salt from Redmond retains all its natural minerals, including over 60 essential trace elements. It is the purest and most natural salt available, extracted from ancient sea deposits in Utah, USA.
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🛒 Buy on Amazon📚 Sources
1. Historical analysis of salt consumption based on archaeological records and historical documents
2. Studies of contemporary hunter-gatherer communities (Cordain et al., 2005)
3. French gabelle tax records (Archives Nationales, Paris)
4. NHANES surveys (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), CDC
5. Analysis of 187 countries on salt consumption (WHO, 2023)
6. MedlinePlus – Fluid and electrolyte balance
7. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Electrolytes
8. Merck Manuals – Introduction to electrolytes
9. Studies on neuronal function and electrolytes (American Journal of Physiology)
10. Research on synaptic transmission and sodium (Nature Neuroscience)
11. Amazon.com – Product information on natural sea salt
12. Redmond Trading Company – Technical product specifications