Salt
The common salt is comprised of sodium chloride. It is commonly known as the mineral table salt which is of a crystaline structure and has been utilized for many years to preserve food and to add seasoning and flavours to many dishes.
Table Salt (Common food)
Table salts mineral form is called a halite and its this form that it most commonly occurs as[1]. It has been reccomended by scientists to not consume excessive amounts of salt as this has been said to cause an increase in blood pressure thus causing hypertension. This is due to having an increased amount of sodium in the blood stream meaning the kidney can't effectively remove water from the bloodstream resulting in water retention causing an increase in blood pressure, thus placing increased pressure on your cardiac system such as heart vessels and blood vessels. Due to these findings it has been advised to not exceed 2,300 mg of sodium per day[2].
The Chemistry of Salt
Sodium chloride is comprised of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). It exists in salt as a giant ionic lattice with strong electrostatic forces between oppositley charged ions. Sodium chloride is commonly formed by the reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide forming water and sodium chloride[3].
References:
- ↑ Hyper Physics - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/saltcom.html
- ↑ Rush University Medical Centre - https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/6-high-blood-pressure-facts
- ↑ Hyper Physics - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/saltcom.html