When talking about human history, the issue of hunger has always been present. This business of supermarkets and full refrigerators is something from the XNUMXth century onwards, that is, practically “yesterday” in the perspective of the time when human beings inhabit planet Earth. In this context, populations were annihilated by the lack of food. When population density became too high, the lack of food to feed families controlled population growth.
The development of seasonings and other condiments that help to improve the taste of food is born precisely in this situation: make edible what was naturally bad tasting, but which was necessary for our survival. The popular stone soup you may have heard of is an example of how urgent the need is for a person to avoid starving to death. After the Industrial Revolution and, consequently, the development of agricultural techniques, food production became abundant and the coexistence with hunger still exists, however, far fewer people (in percentage) live with hunger today than in past times.
With that, spices had another role in humanity, going from mere helpers to tolerating anything that could serve as food for refined companions of the most varied meals. We all know that a special seasoning is important from rice and beans at home to the most expensive restaurant in town. The question is whether the abuse of spices brings benefits or harm to our health.
Salt, the most basic of spices, used not only to sharpen the flavor but also to preserve food, is a great enemy to our health. Excess sodium, among its harmful effects, causes increased pressure. Campaigns and laws try to inhibit the use of salt in food, banning the placement of salt shakers on restaurant tables and other prohibitive measures. Of course, it doesn't do you any good, but anything done in moderation doesn't create problems. If you don't have high blood pressure, just control your sodium consumption, after all, it is not only present in salt, but in a series of foods that we often have no idea about. Just in case, it is worth checking the food ingredients and, especially, the amount of them present in your daily diet.
- Text written by Diego Rennan from the Eu Sem Fronteiras Team.
