But chemists were aware that certain elements had rather similar chemical properties: for example lithium, sodium and potassium or chlorine, bromine and iodine.
Sodium may be an essential element to our survival, but most of us consume way too much.
While it probably won't make it to your dining table, a new scientific achievement might be able to help in everything from radar equipment to electric cars: scientists have been able to form salt, aka sodium chloride (NaCl), in a hexagonal shape.
Sure, on one hand, table salt is just sodium chloride, and don't let anyone tell you differently.
The human body needs a tiny amount of sodium to function properly and this is typically found in salt (sodium chloride).
Celery This crunchy, hydrating vegetable has diuretic properties, meaning it will make you urinate a lot and, in turn, flush out excess water and sodium.
Salt has its uses: It flavors food, keeps us from dying of a sodium deficiency (rare but real), and, well, that's about it.
Both sodas contain sodium, sugar, carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and natural flavors.
But prepackaged snacks often contain added sugars, sodium and saturated or trans fats that most of us do not need.
Avocados are also a source of potassium, a nutrient that helps reduce blood pressure by acting as a natural diuretic to sweep excess sodium and fluid out of the body, which relieves pressure on the heart and arteries (bonus: that also means avocado is a natural de-bloater!
"We should be far more concerned about targeting communities and countries with high average sodium intake -- above five grams (equivalent to 12.
"We should be far more concerned about targeting communities and countries with high average sodium intake -- above five grams (equivalent to 12.
When you consume a lot of sodium the body retains fluids, resulting in a paunchy belly.
When you consume a lot of sodium the body retains fluids, resulting in a paunchy belly.
If it's well-stocked, you'll find items perfect for any weight-loss regimen,from tasty cookies sweetened with fruit juice to soups and sauces low in sodium.
Even healthy pizzas deliver a good amount of sodium from tomato sauce and cheese, so if you are watching your salt intake, you should eat with caution.
A cup of potato salad can have more than 1,300 milligrams of sodium, three ounces of canned ham almost 1,000.
Making sure you're drinking water is the simplest solution, she says, but adding an electrolyte-rich sports drink or coconut water to your rotation can help guarantee you're replenishing sodium and potassium as well as fluids.
It is true that there is often a lot of salt added to prepared food, and sodium can raise your blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack.
"The lemon triggers the release of sodium bicarb (alkaline part) into the small intestine, and this can help relieve indigestion," said Koff.
