Sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as salt, is an essential compound our body uses to:
- absorb and transport nutrients
- maintain blood pressure
- maintain the right balance of fluid
- transmit nerve signals
- contract and relax muscles
Salt is an inorganic compound, meaning it doesn’t come from living matter. It’s made when Na (sodium) and Cl (chloride) come together to form white, crystalline cubes.
Your body needs salt to function, but too little or too much salt can be harmful to your health.
While salt is frequently used for cooking, it can also be found as an ingredient in foods or cleansing solutions. In medical cases, your doctor or nurse will typically introduce sodium chloride as an injection.