#table salt

[cacartoon]

Table Salt

[a-typical]

Probability figures in everyday decisions we make. Consider the public’s sentiment toward genetically modified organisms—GMOs. Reactions tend to be bimodal, depending on your politics, itself a warning flag. The truth and efficacy of science should never correlate with your political views.

The food chemical company Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, developed a genetically modified variant of corn that was completely resistant to glyphosate, a weed-killing herbicide marketed under the name Roundup, which they also developed. Monsanto scientists genetically removed their corn’s susceptibility to the chemical. This potent combo—Monsanto’s GMO corn coupled with Monsanto’s weed killer—enabled farmers to spray their entire crops and have the herbicide kill everything but the corn. The Vermont ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s uses corn syrup as a sweetener for some of their products. (Yes, I too was surprised to learn this.) News that some of their ice creams had trace amounts of glyphosate from the corn used in their syrup created a media dust-up. In response, Ben & Jerry’s decided to stop using GMO corn syrup altogether, even though the one-part-per-billion detection levels of glyphosate were far below US and European standards. Since many people who buy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream lean left—aligned with the company’s generally progressive views on all things—Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Holdings Inc. judged this ban to be a wise business decision.

Let’s look closer at what happened there. Every substance you could possibly ingest, food and otherwise, has a calculated lethal dose associated with it, measured by what’s called LD50. That’s the dose per kilogram of body weight where 50 percent of the people who consume that amount will die quickly. These data often come from tests on laboratory mammals such as mice. There’s another metric, called no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), which addresses the long-term influence of a substance on your health and is more sensible when thinking about food safety. LD50 helps to make a different point. The smaller its value for a substance, the more lethal it is. As such, tables of LD50s can be quite illuminating. Here’s a sampling:

Sucrose (table sugar) | 30 grams per kilogram

Ethanol (common alcohol) | 7 grams per kilogram

Glyphosate (Roundup) | 5 grams per kilogram

Table Salt | 3 grams per kilogram

Caffeine | 0.2 grams per kilogram

Nicotine | 0.0065 grams per kilogram

The most lethal substance on this hand-picked list is nicotine. Caffeine looks quite potent too. Just drink about eighty demitasse cups of espresso if you want to die from it. Next comes salt.

The least deadly on the list is sugar, as you might expect. Notice further that glyphosate is less lethal than table salt, but not by much. Actually none of this concerns us here. What matters is what happens to a 150 lb. (70 kg) person who eats Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—a fact I calculated but relegated to my Forbidden Twitter file, where it remains, simply for how disturbing it would be. In social media, I never intend to be disturbing:

You would need to consume four hundred million pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for its trace amounts of glyphosate to kill you. But after only 20 pints you will die from its sugar content.

Ben & Jerry’s made the right corporate decision if it protected their profits. Although they could have also used the occasion as a teaching moment—a mind-blowing lesson on comparative risk. But that works only if people are open to learning. In modern times, many of us don’t satisfy that criterion, perhaps because, according to the nineteenth-century British essayist Walter Bagehot,

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

It is, as common people say, so “upsetting;” it makes you think that, after all, your favourite notions may be wrong, your firmest beliefs ill-founded.… Naturally, therefore, common men hate a new idea, and are disposed more or less to ill-treat the original man who brings it.

— Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization - Neil deGrasse Tyson (2022)

[theshippirate22]

one day Lyn gets home from work and Hunter very obviously wants to fuck and shes on board but she’s really tired and gets her wires crossed and says “how can i help you?” in her customer service voice and they both just sit there for a second and then he climbs off of her and they both roll over and go to sleep and they never speak of it again

[idonotblogatall]

I legitimately don't know the difference between a slug and a snail except one can explode with sodium chloride.

[theultimatetournament]

[manybackflips]

You come over to my house for Halloween, a “take one” is on the front stoop.

You look inside.

There’s nothing but fine grains of salt.

[sarahdevicomte]

A seasoned salt with more personality is made by combining smoked paprika with a touch of thyme.

[healthifyin]

Iodized Salt: The Essential Mineral for Health and Well-being

Introduction: The Role of Salt in Our Diet

Salt is an indispensable ingredient in every kitchen, enhancing the flavors of food while also playing a vital role in maintaining bodily functions. However, not all salts are the same. Iodized salt stands out as an essential dietary choice, as it helps prevent iodine deficiency, a leading cause of thyroid-related disorders.

What is Iodized Salt?

Iodized salt is table salt fortified with iodine, a crucial mineral that supports thyroid function and prevents goiter and other iodine deficiency-related diseases. The process of fortification ensures that a sufficient amount of iodine is added to regular salt, making it a simple yet effective way to improve public health.

Why is Iodine Important?

Iodine is a trace element that plays a significant role in:

Thyroid hormone production – Essential for regulating metabolism

Cognitive development – Crucial for brain development in children and infants

Preventing goiter – Deficiency leads to an enlarged thyroid gland

Supporting immunity – Helps in proper cellular function

Health Benefits of Iodized Salt

The addition of iodine to salt offers numerous health advantages:

Prevents iodine deficiency disorders – Lack of iodine can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and developmental issues in children

Regulates metabolism – A well-functioning thyroid ensures better energy balance and body weight management

Supports pregnancy health – Iodine is crucial for fetal brain development, making iodized salt an important dietary inclusion for pregnant women

How to Use Iodized Salt in Cooking

Using iodized salt in everyday meals is the easiest way to ensure adequate iodine intake:

Add it to soups, curries, and stir-fries for a balanced taste

Sprinkle it over salads and snacks to enhance flavor

Use it in baking and seasoning to bring out the best in your dishes

Final Thoughts

Iodized salt is a small yet powerful addition to a healthy diet. By making the switch to iodized salt, you can ensure a balanced intake of this essential mineral for you and your family.

Explore high-quality iodized salt by Aashirvaad here: Iodized Salt.

[loreeebee]

Himalayan Salt, What is it and Why is it Good for You?

Himalayan salt consists of pink crystals from the sea salt beds within the pristine conditions of the Himalayan mountain range in Asia, reportedly the purest salt available in the world.   Contains Minerals, not Toxins The absence of toxins and contaminants plus the presence of numerous trace elements makes Himalayan salt much healthier than highly processed, bleached, and chemically cleaned��

[cippy42]

I bet table salt is really nice to eat

[surinderbhalla]

Choosing the Best Salt for Health: A Comprehensive Guide

When choosing the best salt for your health, understanding the differences is crucial. Not all salts are created equal. Each type offers unique benefits based on mineral content. They also show potential risks based on processing techniques and sodium levels. In today’s topic: “Choosing the Best Salt for Health: A comprehensive guide”. we will explore the health implications of different salts.…

[caramhel]

Ingredients - Homemade Spice Blend - King's Seasoned Salt Smoked paprika with a hint of thyme creates a seasoned salt with more character.

[theshippirate22]

Lyn: What, you’re gonna hit a woman?

Hunter: If it’s you, yeah

Kelly: did you just assume your own gender

Lyn: I’m gender-fluid i always assume my own gender