Page "Food" Paragraph 27

Saltiness is the taste of alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium.

It is found in almost every food in low to moderate proportions to enhance flavor, although to eat pure salt is regarded as highly unpleasant.

There are many different types of salt, with each having a different degree of saltiness, including sea salt, fleur de sel, kosher salt, mined salt, and grey salt.

Other than enhancing flavor, its significance is that the body needs and maintains a delicate electrolyte balance, which is the kidney's function.

Salt may be iodized, meaning iodine has been added to it, a necessary nutrient that promotes thyroid function.

Some canned foods, notably soups or packaged broths, tend to be high in salt as a means of preserving the food longer.

Historically speaking, salt has been used as a meat preservative as salt promotes water excretion, thus working as a preservative.

Similarly, dried foods also promote food safety.