Former ballerina and broadcaster Yoon Hye-jin revealed her morning routine.
Recently, Yoon Hye-jin uploaded a video of her daily life on her YouTube channel. In the video, Yoon Hye-jin said, "What I've been into lately is drinking salt water," and talked about her morning routine. She mentioned, "Salt water is good for reducing swelling and calming inflammation," as she drank warm water mixed with sea salt. What health effects does salt water have?
Essential Component 'Sodium' for Our Body
Salt contains sodium, which is essential for health. Sodium helps maintain osmotic pressure and balances fluids and electrolytes. While excessive intake can raise blood pressure, it also aids in the movement of neurotransmitters that activate organs and muscles. Sodium is also used as a component of digestive fluids such as bile and pancreatic juice, so it should not be deficient.
Salt water, which is water mixed with salt, is known as a folk remedy for boosting immunity and detoxifying. Some people claim that salt water alleviates numbness in the limbs and improves insomnia. However, the health effects of salt water have not been scientifically proven.
If You Eat Well, Additional Salt Intake Is Unnecessary
While salt water can prevent sodium deficiency, additional salt intake is unnecessary. Even without eating salt separately, Koreans consume enough sodium through stews, fermented foods, and pickled products. In 2012, the total sodium intake was 4549mg, and in 2021 it was 3038mg. Although sodium intake has decreased compared to the past, it still far exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended daily intake of 2000mg.
It is natural to worry about sodium deficiency. Sodium deficiency can lead to hyponatremia, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. It can also lead to fluid deficiency, damaging brain cells and increasing the risk of heart attacks. However, people who eat a regular diet are less likely to experience sodium deficiency. Sodium deficiency commonly occurs when someone strictly follows a low-salt diet for an extended period.
For health, it is necessary to manage sodium intake. When consuming soup dishes, focusing on the solid ingredients can help reduce sodium intake. It is better to pour seasonings into a small dish and dip food into it as needed.
Frequent dining out, takeout, and processed foods are factors that inevitably increase sodium intake. It is advisable to eat foods with less salt at home whenever possible. On the other hand, vegetables and fruits that help with sodium excretion should be consumed daily. Plant-based foods are rich in potassium, vitamin C, which boosts immunity, and dietary fiber, which strengthens the intestines.
