Salt might do much more than make food taste better. New research suggests that it may make you happier, too. Should you be a little more heavy-handed with the salt-shaker?
5 foods to boost your mood!
University of Iowa researchers say salt may be a natural anti-depressant. Their tests on animals found that those with a salt deficiency shunned activities they normally enjoyed--a major sign of depression. In fact, researchers speculate the natural lift we get from the salt is why most people eat too much of it. You need 2 grams of the mineral per day to function, but most people consume about 10 grams.
But don't get salt-happy just yet. Experts know that excessive amounts of salt can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. So what's a gal to do? Stay away from packaged, sodium-packed foods--the amount of salt you get from your normal cooking is more than enough to keep you healthy and happy.
Earlier: Do you have a salt tooth or a sweet tooth?
Does salt make you happy? (Personally, I'm a bit of a salt fiend.) Are you worried about your salt intake?
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