If we trace the history of humanity we will find that salt has always accompanied us, not only in the kitchen, but also in medicine, politics, economics and even religious practices.

All cultures, without distinction, have given great importance. So much so that words like salad (in allusion to which vegetables were taken salty) or salary (which refers to the value of salt as a means of barter at a given time) have their origin in the word salt.

And although it is currently recommended to eat less salt to balance health, the truth is that this wonderful element has played a central role for humans and I would like you to know why. Here, then, is the story of the salt we use in our meals.

What is salt?

Before you know your story, it is important that we know exactly what salt is. Most people would respond that it is these white grains that we find in the salt cellars in the middle of the dining room table.

And they do not lie, salt is that, but it's also other things. It is a vital chemical element for plants and animals, so it is necessary for these living organisms to obtain it through the nutrient pathways of each group. It is also a tremendous preservative, which is why it has been used throughout human history to preserve food.

The wonderful history of salt

There was once a species-the human, but in this case formed by our ancestors. Their organisms needed salt to function, among other elements. But since their food was based on the red meat they hunted, they did not have to look for it in parallel.

However, one good day (10 thousand years before our era) the life of man changed and instead of hunting they began to dedicate themselves to agriculture; hence their food will diversify. Grains, fruits, vegetables, cereals and very little meat now filled their tables. This is: low amounts of salt for the body.

On the other hand, in developing animal husbandry and domestication, man was forced to seek salt both for his own nutrition and for that of his beasts. It was in China that the first signs were reported that our ancestors began to obtain salt from places where this element is found in high quantities: the natural salt flats near lakes and seas.

In the center of Europe it was dug in the rocks, with which appeared the mining of the salt. Near the Caspian Sea was the first mine of this type of humanity, from which originated the sale of the product and commercial routes were created throughout the centuries.

The art of pottery itself went from ceramics to iron just to boil the water and extract the salt that adheres to the walls of the vessels. With this it happened to season the food. The necessity of the element led to the development in man of pleasure for pleasant tastes. Thus arose the antecedents of the culinary and the gastronomy that we know at the moment.

What uses did man give salt over time?

As we have said, the first use of salt was purely nutritional. Food was salted and matter resolved. But while it was done, the man discovered something very interesting: when wrapped in salt, these products lasted much longer. So the second use of salt appeared: as a preservative for meats.

It was at this moment that the men - the Celts among the first - discovered the sausages. The hams, sausages and sausages with which we prepare delicious dishes today saw the light thanks to the salt.

Now, if salt was vital for man, it is logical that it would have an important economic value. The sale and purchase of the element led to barter and, therefore, a new use arose: salt works as money, since with it you can buy other products from the market.

But, simultaneously, the importance of salt led to its symbolic value, since it was also used as part of religious rituals, for magic practices and all sorts of witchcraft.

So, at last, is salt harmful or necessary?

After knowing the history of salt, the almost obligatory question is will salt be harmful or necessary?

Everywhere we are told that salt intake increases blood pressure, leads to hypertension and, in many cases, to early death. In addition, it is pointed out that reducing their use is as crucial in the long run as smoking cessation. However, the issue is very controversial since the evidence is not conclusive. It is very difficult to prove irrefutably that salt is harmful.

Biologically it is known that if we eat a lot of salt, the body retains water to maintain stable sodium concentration in blood. So when we eat something salty, we need to drink water. This causes an increase in blood pressure. But science still fails to show that this event inevitably leads to chronic diseases and even premature death.

The most advisable, then, is not to reach the extremes with the consumption of salt. Since we need it and bring a pleasant taste to our recipes, it is not wrong to use it. After all, the history of salt shows us that the man without it has not been able to live. Of course, without excesses that may eventually be detrimental to human health.