Iodized Salt Some salts do carry an
undisputed health benefit. Iodized salts
include trace amounts of potassium iodide,
and thus are a source of a mineral that’s
essential for proper functioning of the thyroid
gland, which regulates the body’s heat
production, protein metabolism, and
development of the nervous system. Iodine is
a chemical relative of chlorine and readily
found in ocean fish, seaweeds, and crops and
animals raised near the seacoast. Iodine
deficiency was once common in inland areas,
and is still a significant problem in rural
China. It causes both physical and mental
impairment, especially in children.
Salt to Taste: Salt Preference Both the
sensitivity to salt and the preference for
saltiness in foods vary a great deal from
person to person. They depend on several
factors, including inherited differences in the
numbers and effectiveness of taste receptors