Hold On, Salt Can Help Us Lose Weight?!
According to research published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, we have seriously been underestimating the power of salt.
Apparently, salt helps us to burn fat. Yes!
In the study, researchers investigated 10 male Russian astronauts on two separate space missions. They were given progressively saltier meals. Turns out, the saltiest ones made them pee the most despite them not drinking more. This made them wonder…
So, they later discovered that when animals (which we are) eat salty diets, our bodies release more of a hormone called glucocorticoid, which affects the metabolism and immune system. Researchers also tested this theory in a study involving mice, which led them to show that salty diets break down fat and muscle to derive water from these tissues and flush out excess sodium, i.e. urine.
The whole process causes a lot of energy, which is why salt makes us more hungry simultaneously. But before you go pouring salt on everything, remember the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actually suggest consuming no more than 2,300 mg (or 1 tsp) of salt per day.
Excess sodium is still a thing, so don’t ever do it.
Still, the power of salt compels us!