Salt Surprises & Superstitions

Salt has Been Thought of as a Powerful Magical Substance.

• ● Spilling salt was an unlucky omen. Even today, some people throw salt over their left shoulder (into the eyes of the devil) after spilling some, to cancel the ‘bad luck’.
• ● It was also thought to be unlucky to help anyone to salt. An old phrase says "Help me to salt, help me to sorrow'

Salt Surprises

• ● The sea contains an estimated 40 million, billion tonnes of salt; If the world's oceans evaporated, enough salt would be crystallised to cover Britain to a depth of 50 miles;
• ● Grass scattered with rock salt is more appetising for beef cattle. They eat more and gain weight; Rock salt is used to fertilise soil with sodium, which makes sugar beet yield more sugar;
• ● Salt is used to removed traces of water from aviation fuel after it is purified;
• ● Being hygroscopic, salt spread on dusty floors in equestrian centres and indoor arenas retains moisture and keeps down dust;
• ● Until relatively recently, salt bars were the standard currency of Ethiopia and cakes of salt, stamped to show their value, could be used as money in countries as far apart as Tibet and Borneo;
• ● In ancient Greece, slaves were traded for salt- hence the expression 'not worth his salt';
• In his painting 'The Last Supper', Leonardo da Vinci put an overturned salt cellar in front of the ill-fated Judas;
• ● Total annual world-wide salt production is equivalent to the amount contained in two cubic miles of sea water. Now, that's a lot of water!
• 
  "SALT IS ESSENCE OF LIFE AND VITAL TO HUMAN EXISTENCE SAME AS
  OXYGEN AND WATER "
  
  

• Superstitions
• 
  ● Salt has been thought of as a powerful magical substance.
• ● Spilling salt was an unlucky omen. Even today, some people throw salt over their left shoulder (into the eyes of the devil) after spilling some, to cancel the ‘bad luck’.
• ● It was also thought to be unlucky to help anyone to salt. An old phrase says "Help me to salt, help me to sorrow'. 
• ● Superstitious sailors would not mention salt whilst at sea, and would never throw it overboard.
• ● In old Japanese theatres, salt was sprinkled on to the stage before each performance to prevent evil spirits from casting a spell on the actors and ruining the play.
• ● On a happier note, it is customary in some countries to greet newlyweds with gifts of salt and bread, instead of throwing confetti.
• ● In Arab countries salt was used to seal a bargain, and also as a sign of friendship, If you ate another man's salt, you could not harm him in any way whilst in his home, and he would not harm you.
• ● The Druids used salt in their rituals at Stonehenge. It is thought that this was as a symbol of the life-giving fruits of the earth.

Quick Facts on Salt

• ● Most sodium is consumed in the form of sodium chloride which is table salt. Other forms of sodium are also found in food, so watch out for salt AND sodium.
• ● Try to have less than 2,400 milligrams of sodium a day — that's the same as 6 grams of salt a day, or about 1 teaspoon
• That includes all sodium and salt --what's in the product, & added in cooking & at the table
• Processed foods account for most of the sodium and salt consumed Check food labels — sodium is in some foods you might not expect, such as soy sauce and some antacids
• ● Kosher salt and sea salt are just that — salt. Don't forget to include them in adding up your sodium intake for the day
• Reducing salt in the diet can lower blood pressure
• ● Low Sodium salt in the diet also can lower Blood pressure.
• 
  SALT IS THE LARGEST MINERIAL FEEDSTOCK IN THE WORLD’S CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES.

Read More:
● Properties of Salt
● Salt Uses
● Chemicals From Salt
● The Economics of Salt